From Isaac Ojo
The Anambra State governor, Prof Charles Soludo has issued called for a structured, intellectual interrogation of the “Igbo question” in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to move away from agitation to robust, empirical debate.
Gov Soludo made this.call at the Light House, Awka following a stage performance titled “The Tale of Two Nnamdis”, written by Tobe Osigwe and directed by Prof. Uche Nwaozuzu.
The play was presented by students of the Theatre Arts and Film Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The Anambra State governor while reflecting on the performance, praised the students for spearheading a conversation that he believes has been largely absent from the academic and political discourse for too long.
He expressed concern over the lack of structured intellectual engagement regarding the challenges facing the Igbo people and their position within the Nigerian state even as he commended the students for spearheading the debate
Gov Soludo cautioned against the methods of past agitations, particularly the “sit-at-home” syndrome that persisted for five years, noting that such tactics often inflict harm upon the very people the agitators claim to support.
Drawing from his personal history, the Governor shared the trauma of the Civil War, recalling that his mother died during the conflict and his father carried a bullet for 11 years following the war.
He emphasized that while he respects diverse convictions, he remains a strong advocate for bargaining and civil discourse, citing the political legacy of Nnamdi Azikiwe. “Zik helped us; he bargained in the First and Second Republics. He taught us the politics of bargaining.”
Gov Soludo challenged the Igbo populace to address what he termed a “dual personality” paradox regarding their participation in national politics even as he questioned the viability of seeking the presidency while simultaneously expressing deep reservations about the Nigerian project.
He reiterated his readiness to participate in a structured, civil dialogue, expressing a desire to engage directly with diverse groups, including the faction led by Nnamdi Kanu.
