From Ijeoma John Nnewi
The All Progressives Congress ,South East zone through the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah had on Friday, 21st of March organized a Colloquium themed “De-marginalization of South East zone and integration into National Politics “at Anaedo hall,Nnewi.
The colloquium had in attendance the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Abdulahi Umar Ganduje,the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma,Senator Ekwunife,the keynote speaker, Prof.Charles Esimone and many others.
Speaking,APC National Chairman, Ganduje said that Anambra State had been in
political dislocation because they chose to remain in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He revealed that Anambra state has been in dislocation for the past 25 years, starting from Peter Obi,Obiano and now Soludo all from APGA as its governors.
Ganduje advised the people of Anambra to embrace APC which he called the ruling political party.
“Other states have joined APC, but Anambra refusal to connect to the center has denied her the infrastructure and other benefits,” he said.
“You have to be in the table to negotiate what comes to you and if you are not on the table,no one will speak for you, “he added.
Ganduje said that Igbos are part of ingredients of national integration. According to him,Igbos are most travelled, creative and the basis of Nigerian economy today.
He continued to reveal that Anambra has produced great men and women who have contributed immensely to the development of the country.
Imo State Governor,Sanator Hope Uzodimma, speaking at colloquium said that APC acknowledged that South East was really marginalized.
“There is need for national integration, cohesion and unity so that we can have a pan Nigeria Project, “he added
Uzodimma disclosed that for the South East to achieve de-marginalization, they must be committed to the fight.
” If we are craving for a Nigeria where equity and fair play will prevail ,we must be in the ruling party,” he said.
“We must create a corridor where we can use to exit from this political isolation” Uzodimma added.
He further noted that one day those who have made this possible would be counted and he noted that one day ,he would be counted among those who created escape corridor for igbos to escape marginalization.
Uzodimma welcomed Senator Ifeanyi Ubah into the party. According to him,Ubah had proven to be worthy to pilot the political sphere.
Highlights of the event included keynote address by the vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Charles Esimone, who talked on the theme “De Marginalization of Southeast Zone and integration into national politics “said that the current arrangement of Nigeria was as result of the amalgamation of 1914 by Lugard creating the country into unequal parts.
He acknowledged that South East was marginalized. Esimone revealed that South East has only five states while others have six.
He said constitution and credible census are the main factors for the fight.
“Without credible constitution and census there will be no equity, “he added
Esimone said that for de-marginalization to be possible, leadership of the three arms of government should be rotated,the major political party should win and credible candidates should win the primary.
The panelist who spoke during the occasion, Prof Nick Eze,Prof Ukaogo and Dr Nkem Okeke, said that the plight of the igbos would be taken away if they accept APC.
