Excerpt from Ifeanyi Uba Interview

Many commentators are of the view that Ndigbo put all their eggs in one basket by solely supporting President Goodluck Jonathan. Now that Jonathan has lost, how do you see the life of Ndigbo in the opposition?

The Igbo voting for Jonathan was not unexpected. Ndigbo had quite a number of opportunities in his administration. Even though Jonathan did a lot for the Igbo, most of the things he did as president, went to the north. He did more in the north. For example, the Kashbila Dam is the biggest project handled by Jonathan’s administration, all the railways, Abuja, Kaduna and the rest of them. You know, all these dams and hydro-power projects are multi-billion dollar projects. They were all done in the north. Irrespective of that, the Igbo are still appreciative of the much Jonathan did for us. My position is that General Buhari should think of the Igbo and make them his friends, and if possible, do more than Jonathan did for us.
Coming to Lagos, Ndigbo have been in Lagos since the creation of Nigeria. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the great Zik, is the only Igboman that had represented Lagos in the legislature. Since then, no other Igbo man has been voted into the Lagos State House of Assembly. For 16 years that AD/ACN/APC have been in power, they never cared about giving an Igbo man a slot to vie for in the Lagos State House of Assembly, or to represent it in the House of Representatives, while we have Ndigbo everywhere in Lagos.
So, if truly you claim that you are a democrat, you need to practice it. If the APC has not given Igbo that opportunity in Lagos, then we think there is still animosity against the Igbo. There is a large population of Igbo in many parts of Lagos, like Surulere, Ikotun, Ojo, among others. So, it is expected that the political parties should factor them in their choice of candidates for elective offices. What we have therefore done is not something that we want the Lagos State government, or any person whatsoever, to be angry with. It is democracy in action.
They should take this as an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and see how we can be accommodated. That is all that we ask for; to be involved in the scheme of things.
I want the parties to recognise Ndigbo as part of the government. Nigerians are members of parliament in the UK. Why can’t people be elected in places where they have spent all their lives? We are not only talking about Igbo, we want this for all Nigerians, no matter where they come from. Igbo are spread all over the world like the Jews. The elections have come and gone. We should go back to being our normal selves by going back to the drawing board, to plan for the next line of action till the next election comes in. I am grateful to the residents of Lagos who by their votes showed that it is the candidate that matter and not where he comes from. The voters, by their votes, showed that the Igbo and other ethnic nationalities can call Lagos their home. I am grateful to Lagosians, who deemed it fit to vote for non-Yoruba, including some Igbo that were elected into the l House of Representatives for Lagos and also the House of Assembly in Lagos. This is a giant step forward for the nation.

What is your advice for Ndigbo now in the unfolding Nigerian politics? How can they return to the mainstream politics?

Well, I will try to balance things. My advice is not to Ndigbo alone, but to the Nigerian government as well. The government should embrace all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or tongue. Our leaders must build a nation where people get what they deserve and are not deprived of what they rightly deserve on account of where they come from or do not come from. People must also live in peace wherever they find themselves. They must also respect the culture of their localities.

That is the incoming government?

Yes, they should balance Ndigbo first, by giving us additional states, making us to be like others, and stop marginalising us. That is one thing that is very important. If you do this to Ndigbo, there is no way, you will not be appreciated. Ndigbo are not asking for so much from government. We only ask for good governance, infrastructural development of Igboland, a merit-based society, conducive business atmosphere, level playing field, and security of lives and property. You know, they voted Jonathan, because, his government guaranteed them these. So, if they say we are going to give you an additional state, so that you have six states, like the other zones. For example northwest has seven states. We don’t want seven. Just give us six, like others. We will, like others, need to be reassured that we are part of this federation.
The second way to assure Ndigbo and cultivate their trust is to make them an integral part of the in-coming government. This is of utmost importance. In any case, I wonder how any government, which excludes Ndigbo or ‘punishes’ them because they did not vote for the President, will function. Such a government will unfortunately portray itself as petty and vindictive. I however do not think General Buhari will be persuaded to exclude or ‘punish’ Ndigbo. He does not strike me as such a person. He is a great Nigerian with exceptional leadership qualities. Ndigbo have a special gift, which any government will be glad to tap into. You cannot do without the Igbo or indeed any ethnic nationality in the scheme of things in Nigeria. So, it is my opinion that General Buhari and APC need to show love to Ndigbo. Once you show any Igbo man that you accommodate him, you can’t imagine what he will do in return. Four years is a long time to reach out and make new friends....

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/04/buhari-cant-rule-without-ndigbo-ifeanyi-uba/

Chiaka:
My role model remains minister of health [s]-Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu for
systematically helping to stop the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.[/s]
Nigeria will also be declared Polio free soonest. We need more people like him!!!

omonnakoda:


How did he do this? Were we all asleep in Nigeria ? Why are some people so shameless

Chiaka:


Tell me how he did not do it. Thunder fire you a million times and back to sender on your cause/abuse and future causes/abuse

omonnakoda:
Cancer fire your mother and stroke fire you father they will drop dead suddenly

fkaz:
You cannot do without the Igbo or indeed any ethnic nationality in the scheme of things in Nigeria. So, it is my opinion that General Buhari and APC need to show love to Ndigbo. Once you show any Igbo man that you accommodate him, you can’t imagine what he will do in return. Four years is a long time to reach out and make new friends....

Chiaka:


Back to sender by thunder and by fire!

omonnakoda:
Cancer fire your mother and stroke fire you father they will drop dead suddenly

Chiaka:
My role model remains minister of health -Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu for
systematically helping to stop the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.
Nigeria will also be declared Polio free soonest. We need more people like him!!!

Chiaka:


Back to sender with thunder lighting and fire with speed of light. Fhucking hater!!

omonnakoda:
Your mother will die cold and alone painfully

Ilekeh:
They said Buhari couldn't win without Ndigbo........

Now they say he can't "preside" without Ndigbo.......

Next they'll tell us that Buhari can't walk without Ndigbo.....

omonnakoda:
You will bury your children with you hands

omonnakoda:


How did he do this? Were we all asleep in Nigeria ? Why are some people so shameless

Chiaka:


Back to sender!! Witch craft spirit. God pass devil every second, minute , hour, day, week, month, year, century and forever!! So I pass you! Amen!!

Chiaka:


My role model remains minister of health -Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu for
systematically helping to stop the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.
Nigeria will also be declared Polio free soonest. We need more people like him!!!

When you rejoice with successful people you attain one!!

Chiaka:


Back to sender!! Witch craft spirit. God pass devil every second, minute , hour, day, week, month, year, century and forever!! So I pass you! Amen!!

omonnakoda:
Go and bury them you will bite your fingers till they bleed

Ikology:


Easy nau