By George Mgbeleke
A member of House of Representatives, representing Isuikwato/ Umuneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah has asked the Federal government to ensure strict implementation of Federal character principles in allocation of resources and political appointments to
end agitations for self actualization by the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Hon Ogah who is currently the chairman, House committee on HIV Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria control stated this in an interview with our Correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday said the agitation by the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB) is born out of the age long marginalization of the Igbos in Nigeria.
According to him, rather than raising arms against the Igbos for seeking for a sovereignty where they would be heard and fairly treated as a corporate entity in a country they rightly belong, the federal government should strictly apply the principles of Federal character in the distribution of resources and political appointments with a view to giving the Igbos and other ethnic nationalities sense of belonging.
He noted that there would have been no need for anybody to engage in unnecessary agitations if there is equity, justice and fairness in allocation of resources, employment and political appointments in Nigeria.
“We can’t be talking about separation from Nigeria because the greatest percentage of the property in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country are own by Igbos.
“How can we be talking about Biafra, who will own those properties. I think what we should be talking about is let the Federal character commission be working and ensuring the application of federal character principles. Let the Federal government ensure strict application of Federal character principles in sharing of the national cake.
“Let the national cake be judiciously shared according to the geopolitical zones of the federation. That is the most important thing that we should be talking about and once that is in place, I think no region will be talking about being on their own. It is even better we are in a bigger country than in a smaller one”, Ogah noted.
Continuing he said,”So, for me I don’t subscribe to pulling out of Nigeria to become a Republic of our own rather I will prefer that we remain in Nigeria where we have built.
“Igbos have built this country to an enviable height and I think the best we should be asking for is fairness and equity in distribution of resources and other necessities of live.
“We should ask for equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of resources, political appointments, job creation and infrastructural facilities among others.”
On the continuous detention of Nnamdi Kalu by the Federal government even after a court of competent jurisdiction had earlier granted his release, he said he was confident that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would certainly release Kalu from detention.
“Well , the issue of our brother Nnamdi Kalu’s detention is something all of us are concerned about and I believe that this present administration will release him.
“I have firm believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not against Ndigbo.
The little time I have had talk with him on one on one, I fell in love with him. Not just based on political party affiliation.I saw the capacity and sincerity in him.” Ogah noted.
