The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has an attempt to assassinate Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Recall that we had reported that gunmen on Sunday attacked the convoy of the lawmaker in Anambra killing many of his aides.
However, he was able to escape due to his bulletproof car.
National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia,
who spoke with Vanguar said that killing was alien to Igbo culture in
the past, and wondered if those behind the ongoing senseless killings in
the South East are truly Igbo.
He described the dastardly act as unacceptable and called for action.
His words: “This is very disturbing. I feel so sad about it. In
Igbo land in the past, killing was an abominable act, a taboo and
something that was not contemplated.
”Anybody that killed would be ostracized. Killing is
objectionable, repulsive which a normal person doesn’t even want to
contemplate.
”But most, unfortunately, the development in South East now is
worrisome. I sometimes wonder if those behind these heinous crimes are
really Igbo.
”We have our values, our virtues, norms and culture that are
being extolled and which people tend to emulate. But I don’t understand
what is happening now with our core Igbo values.
”I’m disturbed. What are we supposed to hand over to the next
generation as Igbo values and norms? How are we even sure it will not
degenerate and become worse?
The Ohanaeze chieftain also expressed disgust over the Killing of a Community leader at Agukwunri on Sunday.
”I also feel sad that an Onowu, a highly revered personality
from Agukwunri who came to purchase something at Orieukwu market was
shot dead. This sends a wrong signal.”
The Ohanaeze chieftain blamed the rising insecurity in the country
on bad governance and leadership failure, saying it can only end with
the enthronement of good governance.
”No matter the military presence the only thing that can solve
the problem in Nigeria is to bring good governance. And the only way to
bring good governance is through a credible election. By the time we
have a credible election, and good people coming to preside over the
affairs of the country, the economy will be stimulated.
”When that is done, there will be employment and crime will
reduce. There is no way you can reduce crime when there is a high rate
of unemployment.
”So, what is happening in the country now is the effect of bad
governance, bad leadership, unemployment, induced poverty, greed and
primitive accumulation of wealth by the leaders.
”So, the only way to solve it is when we change the leadership
through the democratic revolution, then these things will begin to
fizzle out.”
He said that the protracted strike action by university-based
unions could also be fueling the insecurity in the country as some
students might be recruited into the crime industry.
”Don’t be surprised that some of those behind the killings may
be students who have been out of school for over six months of the
strike.”
He also blamed the insecurity in South East on marginalisation and
near political exclusion of the zone by the Government at the centre.
“The other dimension that trends to create problem in the South
East is the issue of alienation of the Igbo people from the centre of
power. The deliberate alienation of Igbo is frustrating and at the
extreme of such frustration, some may be tempted to take up arms.
” At a certain level of extreme provocation and
marginalisation, the people express frustration through taking up arms.
So, the best way to ensure there is good governance”.
0 comments:
Post a Comment