IBB IS A JOKER – GROUPS

By NBF News

More than six major Igbo groups rose from a meeting in Enugu on Tuesday and condemned the recent decision by former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) to run for presidency in 2011, an ambition, which they described as the biggest joke of the year.

In a resolution read at the end of the meeting by the convener and President of Igbo Youth Movement, Evangelist Elliot Uko, the groups declared that 'Ndigbo were frightened by the mere thought of former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida coming back to hold Nigeria by the jugular.'

'We think that is the biggest joke of the year. It is not only bad dreams but a frightful nightmare. When did satisfying the economic needs of one's cronies who have been out of power for a while become the criteria of occupying Aso Rock? We heard that some of them are owing banks and believe the only way to settle their debts is when their master returns to power and the partying of the mid 80's takes off again.

'Nigeria has not recovered from the jamborees of the mid 80's and early 90's. We advise Gen Babangida to have a rethink, go back home and enjoy his retirement. He should fight boredom by watching Nollywood and EUEFA champions' league. Ndigbo will resist him with all the energy that we can muster.'

'His antecedents and pedigree are uninspiring, his style is completely out of fashion and counterproductive. We believe it is a joke. Gen IBB cannot be serious because we will oppose him.

The Igbo groups, which include Igbo Students Association, Igbo Traders Union, Umuada Alaigbo, World Igbo Congress and Otu Umuigbo Lagos, said they came about the resolution after painstaking research and consultations all over Igbo land.

'We sent out 6,000 questionnaires in March and we just collated them last week and they are verifiable for anybody who would want to see them. We sampled opinions of traders at Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, Enugu, Abakaliki, Owerri and Umuahia.

'We also talked with civil servants, school teachers, students, traditional rulers, religious leaders and we can authoritatively say that we have aggregated the opinions of Ndigbo within the last eight weeks and the verdict is that, Ndigbo are totally disenchanted with the Federal Republic of Nigeria the way it is run presently.

'They are bitter with the failure of authorities to restore energy to at least 10 megawatts, they are also frustrated with the electoral process and do not think there is any need to vote in next year's election if the brazen malpractices which has become the culture is not checked.

'Ndigbo are devastated with the seeming lukewarmness in the fight against corruption and have resolved not to be interested in Nigeria until corruption is genuinely attacked and mindless looters of our common wealth are not only brought to justice but also made to return their undeserving mind-boggling loot.

'Finally, the pace of work on federal roads in the south-east is embarrassing. Is the snail speed deliberate or is it the same war of attrition and scotched-earth policy against Ndigbo? We still await true federalism and a restructured Nigeria,' the group declared.