eku_bear:

Even if we assume that your hypothesis ("You cannot win in this election without the SE vote" is true, the political calculus doesn't change. Pursuing the votes of people who will not vote for you no matter what you do makes zero sense. It is entirely a waste of resources.

Haven't you realized that the South-East vote is the most sought after vote in all of Nigeria? The political climate that is current in Nigeria is all directed towards the East. Like I said, people in the East will not like this Yoruba to Hausa, Hausa to Yoruba nonsense. Igbos will feel disrespected, South-South will be disgusted. And you do not want to make the region, which is the source of Nigeria's wealth angry.

deadie:

Lugard, oh Lugard, you see what you done?

Lord Lugard's creation is a nightmare for its inhabitants.

montelik:

I am guessing Tsvangirai isn't going to be a fan of Julian Assange and wikileaks now.

I guess not. Sad that he supports sanctions on his own nation. This shows that he only wants power at all cost. No matter the suffering.

eku_bear:

As has been said numerous times in this thread, since no Igbo VP candidate can possibly deliver votes or states on an ACN ticket, there is no point in adding him to the ticket.
So if this election is going to be won, it is going to have to be won without the SE.

As I said earlier, the ACN needs to draw lessons from the Republican Party of the US, who also have a large minority group which intrinsically dislikes them and will never vote for them (African Americans). Yet the Repubs still have kicked Democrat @$$ more often than not (and I say this as a Democrat  ).

You cannot win in this election without the SE vote. Whoever the SE votes for, you can pretty much say the entire East will most likely do the same. The reason why I say this is, because Igbos make up 70-75% of the entire Eastern population. And the Igbo vote is not only found in the South-East states. You can find Igbos in large numbers throughout the entire South-South. They will be voting as well. Therefore, ignore the East at your own peril.

And using the Republican Party is a bad example. Igbos are not some minority group. We are one of the three major ethnic group. And we make up a clear majority in East.

BTW, I am Democrat as well, and I understand the politics of the U.S. very well. Blacks did not even vote much in the mid-term elections. Only 5% of black voters actually bothered to vote. That makes your example even more hollow.

This was an execution style attack. I feel this was politically motivated. Abia State will be very dangerous in the coming months.

Why do people enjoy posting picture of that nature? Come on now.

bk.babe97y:

Fam, if the rest of the world crazy, I aint bro, u best believe that! You just described urself as "Half Black-American". . . . that knocks all your claims wayy out into the stands!!! ROFLMAO!!! Try harder, Ezuche! For now tho, your faking sucks!

Funny, how u resurrected after Ezeuche died and you guys are basically the same! Remember your "Ghana" statements?

Why do you want to be "EzeUche" so much? You have issues bro. I think you need to get that checked out. I am half Black American, because my mother is African American. Is that so hard for you to comprehend? Many African Americans consider themselves as Black American because they have no connection with Africa. That is why I use "Black" American. sheesh.

And EzeUche has been posting when I am online, so where the hell have you been homey? Try again. And BTW, I love Ghana for a reason. Because I stayed in Ghana.

bk.babe97y, people have come to the conclusion that I am not "EzeUche." For one thing, how can I be "EzeUche," when my village was founded by the Ngwa? The second aspect about me that makes me different is that I am half Black America who despises the word "akata." I have seen EzeUche post and he has no qualms using that word.

Must every new Igbo poster be your lover EzeUche?   Tribal chieftains love fellow tribal chieftains. This is something that I have noticed.

Every website that I look at, Egypt is always in the top 20 strongest militaries in the world.

South Africa is a distant 2nd followed by Libya.

Libya

PERSONNEL
Total Population: 6,173,579 [2008]
Population Available: 3,293,184 [2008]
Fit for Military Service: 2,821,855 [2008]
Reaching Military Age Annually: 120,093 [2008]
Active Military Personnel: 76,000 [2008]
Active Military Reserve: 40,000 [2005]
Active Paramilitary Units: 3,000 [2008]


ARMY
Total Land-Based Weapons: 5,761
Tanks: 1,540 [2005]
Armored Personnel Carriers: 750 [2005]
Towed Artillery: 647 [2005]
Self-Propelled Guns: 444 [2005]
Multiple Rocket Launch Systems: 830 [2005]
Mortars: 500 [2005]
Anti-Tank Guided Weapons: 3,000 [2005]
Anti-Aircraft Weapons: 600 [2005]


AIR FORCE
[/b]Total Aircraft: 447 [2005]
Helicopters: 67 [2005]
Serviceable Airports: 141 [2007]


[b]NAVY
Total Navy Ships: 32
Merchant Marine Strength: 17 [2008]
Major Ports and Harbors: 6
Aircraft Carriers: 0 [2008]
Destroyers: 0 [2008]
Submarines: 1 [2005]
Frigates: 1 [2005]
Patrol & Coastal Craft: 9 [2005]
Mine Warfare Craft: 2 [2005]
Amphibious Craft: 7 [2008]

LOGISTICAL
Labor Force: 1,830,000 [2007]
Roadways: 100,024 km
Railways: 2,757 km


FINANCES (USD)
Defense Budget: $1,300,000,000 [2007]
Foreign Exch. & Gold: $79,600,000,000 [2007]
Purchasing Power: $74,720,000,000 [2007]


OIL
Oil Production: 1,712,000 bbl/day [2007]
Oil Consumption: 266,000 bbl/day [2005]
Proven Oil Reserves: 45,000,000,000 bbl [2007]


[b]GEOGRAPHIC
[/b]Waterways: 0 km
Coastline: 1,770 km
Square Land Area: 1,759,540 km

South Africa

PERSONNEL
Total Population: 48,782,756 [2008]
Population Available: 23,124,044 [2008]
Fit for Military Service: 11,513,601 [2008]
Reaching Military Age Annually: 1,051,879 [2008]
Active Military Personnel: 60,000 [2008]

ARMY

AIR FORCE
[/b]Total Aircraft: 425 [2003]
Helicopters: 132 [2003]
Serviceable Airports: 728 [2007]


[b]NAVY
Total Navy Ships: 22
Merchant Marine Strength: 3 [2008]
Major Ports and Harbors: 5
Aircraft Carriers: 0 [2008]
Destroyers: 0 [2008]
Submarines: 3 [2008]
Frigates: 0 [2008]
Patrol & Coastal Craft: 6 [2008]
Mine Warfare Craft: 8 [2008]
Amphibious Craft: 0 [2008]

LOGISTICAL
Labor Force: 20,490,000 [2007]
Roadways: 362,099 km
Railways: 20,872 km


FINANCES (USD)
Defense Budget: $3,700,000,000 [2007]
Foreign Exch. & Gold: $32,940,000,000 [2007]
Purchasing Power: $467,800,000,000 [2007]


OIL
Oil Production: 200,000 bbl/day [2006]
Oil Consumption: 519,000 bbl/day [2006]
Proven Oil Reserves: 15,000,000 bbl [2007]


GEOGRAPHIC
Waterways: 0 km
Coastline: 2,798 km
Square Land Area: 1,219,912 km

Egypt


PERSONNEL
Total Population: 81,713,520 [2008]
Population Available: 41,654,185 [2008]
Fit for Military Service: 35,558,995 [2008]
Reaching Military Age Annually: 1,611,890 [2008]
Active Military Personnel: 450,000 [2008]
Active Military Reserve: 254,000 [2008]
Active Paramilitary Units: 405,000 [2008]


ARMY
Total Land-Based Weapons: 9,357
Towed Artillery: 2,393 [2001]

AIR FORCE
[/b]Total Aircraft: 1,230 [2003]
Helicopters: 243 [2003]
Serviceable Airports: 88 [2007]


[b]NAVY
Total Navy Ships: 93
Merchant Marine Strength: 67 [2008]
Major Ports and Harbors: 6
Aircraft Carriers: 0 [2008]
Destroyers: 0 [2008]
Submarines: 4 [2008]
Frigates: 12 [2008]
Patrol & Coastal Craft: 35 [2008]
Mine Warfare Craft: 13 [2008]
Amphibious Craft: 12 [2008]

LOGISTICAL
[/b]Labor Force: 22,100,000 [2007]
Roadways: 92,370 km
Railways: 5,063 km


[b]FINANCES (USD)
Defense Budget: $2,500,000,000 [2006]
Foreign Exch. & Gold: $31,370,000,000 [2007]
Purchasing Power: $405,400,000,000 [2007]


OIL
Oil Production: 665,000 bbl/day [2007]
Oil Consumption: 635,000 bbl/day [2005]
Proven Oil Reserves: 3,750,000,000 bbl [2007]


[b]GEOGRAPHIC
[/b]Waterways: 3,500 km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Square Land Area: 1,001,450 km

Egypt is ranked #17 in military strength in the world

South Africa is ranked #32

Libya is ranked #39

http://www.globalfirepower.com/

PhysicsQED:

To the best of my knowledge (though I stand to be corrected) Eritrea has historically been separate from "Ethiopia" despite their common origin and the attempt to bring Eritrea into Ethiopia for sea access was similar to the internal colonization that resulted in the Oromo being part of Ethiopia despite their opposition- except that it was unsuccessful.

Eritrea was one part of the Kingdom of Axum that extended into Ethiopia. However, Eritrea broke away as Islam spread in the region. However, it was until after the Ethiopians kicked out the Italians out of Ethiopia during WWII, that Emperor Haile Selassie claimed Eritrea as well.

I have an Oromo friend who claims that she is not Ethiopian, but when I asked my Amharic friend about the Oromo plight, he stated that he was used to those complaints, but how can those people want to create a nation out of Ethiopia, but taking a large part of the middle of the country with them. It doesn't make since to the Amharic people.

I understand what my Amharic friend mean though. Oromia as a nation does not make sense. Plus, the Amharic, Tigray and Oromo people share a common history. 

Emperor Haile Selassie himself was Tigray, Oromo and Amharic. It shows how mixed the people of Ethiopia are.

Beaf:

Because those wars are in West Africa where we are the strongest. In other places, we donate to the AU force.
. . .And the two best armies are Ethiopia and Eritrea, not Egypt and SA. You don't want to meet Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers on the battlefield, they are bloody well trained and equipped.

I keep on telling people not to forget about Ethiopia. At one time, Ethiopia had the largest army in Africa when the Derg led by Mengistu was in power. With enemies outside of Ethiopia's border as well as inside of Ethiopia, they have to be battle hardened. Especially with going against the Somali militants that operate with the Ogaden region and Eritrea that should be a part of Ethiopia, but it not due to Cold War politics.

lagbaja20:

You have a good sense of humor!Nsibidi's exact origins are unknown but it is traditionally said to have come from the Uguakima, Ebe or Uyanga sub-group of the Igbo people of which legend says that they were taught the script by Baboons

Now I know you are on crack. Like I said, Nsibidi is an indigenous language that the Igbo/Efik came up with. Nsibidi script was common in village amongst the secret societies. It shows some level of sophistication. Plus, Igbo-Ukwu bronze smelting is the oldest in West Africa.

Now enough of these tribal chest beating. We all have something to be proud of about our ancestors. I am proud that my Igbo ancestors were practicing a better form of democracy that is better than the one currently being practiced now.

Morgan Tsvangirai faces possible Zimbabwe treason charge

Zimbabwe is to investigate bringing treason charges against the prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, and other individuals over confidential talks with US diplomats revealed by WikiLeaks.

Johannes Tomana, the attorney general, said he would appoint a commission of five lawyers to examine whether recent disclosures in leaked US embassy cables amount to a breach of the constitution. A cable dated 24 December 2009 suggested Tsvangirai privately insisted sanctions "must be kept in place".

High treason in Zimbabwe can result in the death penalty. Tomana told the state-owned Herald newspaper: "With immediate effect, I am going to instruct a team of practising lawyers to look into the issues that arise from the WikiLeaks.

"The WikiLeaks appear to show a treasonous collusion between local Zimbabweans and the aggressive international world, particularly the United States."

State media reports have said hardline supporters of the president, Robert Mugabe, want an official inquiry into Tsvangirai's discussion of international sanctions with the US ambassador in Harare.

Mugabe's Zanu-PF party said last week the government should draft a law that makes it a treasonable offence to call for sanctions. The Movement for Democratic Change leader "acknowledged that his public statements calling for easing of sanctions versus his private conversations saying they must be kept in place have caused problems," the memo states.

It says: "If necessary, he said, he and [deputy prime minister Arthur] Mutambara can quietly meet with western leadership to develop a plan on the issue of sanctions. He said that he and Mutambara have decided to take this issue out of the hands of the negotiators and handle it personally."

Defenders of Tsvangirai might note that, in the same US cable, he is described as asking for some "flexibility" in sanctions. It says: "Zanu-PF has implemented a strategy of reciprocity in the negotiations, using western sanctions as a cudgel against MDC. He [Tsvangirai] would like to see some quiet moves, provided there are acceptable benchmarks, to 'give' some modest reward for modest progress."

Tsvangirai's aides say he is not guilty and describe the controversy as personal attacks on the prime minister. Beatrice Mtetwa, a leading human rights lawyer, said it would be very difficult to mount a legal case on the basis of WikiLeaks.

"If there is a commission to look into WikiLeaks, it will have to investigate everything WikiLeaks has discussed, including officials from Zanu-PF," she said. "It cannot be selective. When it comes to witnesses, are they going to call back the former US ambassadors? The cables are based on opinion, not fact. There are a host of legal problems."

Asked if she could rule out treason charges against Tsvangirai, Mtetwa replied: "From a legal perspective it would be folly. But I'm not going to say it's unlikely because the attorney general has been known to chase rainbows against us. He was put in the position for that particular reason."

Last week, the US treasury department imposed restrictive measures on the attorney general, saying his actions undermined the country's democratic institutions. Tomana condemned the move as an attack on his office and the constitution of Zimbabwe.

Even the term "sanctions" is hotly disputed in Zimbabwe. Opponents of Mugabe argue that they are no such thing, but rather targeted "restrictive measures", such as asset freezes and travel bans, imposed by the EU and US on around 200 people and 40 firms linked to Zanu-PF.

Mugabe's wife, Grace, has filed a $15m (£9.5m) lawsuit against a newspaper that reproduced a WikiLeaks report saying she had been involved in underhand sales of diamonds from the controversial Marange mines. The MDC has called for the government to investigate charges against Mugabe's wife and other senior officials implicated in the US cables.

The WikiLeaks reports have added to tensions within Zimbabwe's inclusive government, with Zanu-PF charging that the US cables vindicate its claim that the MDC is working with the west to oust Mugabe.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/27/wikileaks-morgan-tsvangirai-zimbabwe-sanctions

lagbaja20:

Speak for yourself
If you have nothing to say about your rag-tag, follow follow ethnic group, keep quiet and let the persians, the Nubians etc speak for themselves. Abi Alaigbo extend reach those area?

I am perfectly fine with Igbo culture. We had a true democracy, in which the Igbo figured out a thousand years ago that we have no need for chiefs of kings. The fact that we were practicing democracy before the Athenians were practicing democracy is an example of our ingenuity. In addition, our belief that every man and woman are kings and queens in their own right shows how egalitarian the Igbo people

Did Oyo have a written language? I don't think so, not that it matters. Oyo was still great. We Igbos had a written language through Nsibidi. Not that many African ethnic groups besides the Ethiopians had their own indigenous written languages.

I respect the Oyo Empire, but I will not say it is superior to any other African civilization. Let us not forget the Nri Kingdom of Igboland was built on peace, not warfare.

^^^^^^^

What kind of crackpot theory is that? More tribal chest beating. 

Oyo is quite a young for a civilization, ompared to the civilizations found in Messopotomia such as Sumeria which is the oldest civilization in the world. Let us not forget Babylonia, Hittites, Assyria, Persia, the Indus Valley civilizations, Chinese civilization etc. Or how about some ancient African civilizations like Axum, Nubia and Kemet?

Sultan, CAN, others dismiss terror claims

By Taye Obateru, Sam Eyoboka, Emeka Mamah, Kingsley Omonobi & Olayinka Latona

OUTRAGED by the claim of a terrorist group that claimed responsiblity for the Jos mayhem, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Council of Ulama in Jos, the Ja’amatu Nasril Islam, JNI, and other Islamic groups in the country, yesterday, dismissed the group’s claim insisting that it was not only faceless but lacked any iota of credibility.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, also dismissed the group’s claim saying it was a dangerous dimension to the crisis in Jos.

The Islamic groups’ reactions came as fresh anxiety gripped residents of Jos when hundreds of youths protested the alleged shooting of two people in Kabong area by a soldier.
Some of the youths were said to have thrown missiles at the soldiers and abused them, in the process forcing the security men to shoot into the air to scare them. This resulted in commotion which threw some parts of the city into confusion.

[b]Dangerous dimension
[/b]CAN described the claim of responsibility to the Jos and Maiduguri bombings made by an Islamic group, Jama’tu Ahlus-Sannah Lidda’Awati Waljihad, as a dangerous dimension to the perennial sectarian crisis in the North, urging the Federal Government not to leave anything to chance.

CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in an interview last night, acknowledged that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who is also the head of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and the Plateau State Commissioner of Police have dismissed the claim, insisting that the group was faceless and lacked any iota of credibility.

Oritsejafor who held a joint press conference with the Sultan in Lagos, said: “The Sultan told us that they have done their investigations and discovered that the address given by the group in Kano is non-existent and, therefore, should not be taken seriously.”

Noting that the Sultan, being the head of all Muslims in the country, was influential enough to have given such re-assuring words, Oritsejafor added, but “I think the security agencies in the country must still do a thorough investigation to unearth the veracity of the claim and if certain individuals are using that claim as a decoy to block investigations into the core matter; they should fish out such people.”

The CAN president expressed happiness that the two dominant religions in the country, Christianity and Islam, have openly acknowledged that the perennial Jos crisis was political with a heavy religious colouration, stating “that acknowledgment gladdens my heart because a problem identified is a problem half solved.”

Oritsejafor who stressed that the onus will now be on the security agents in the country join forces to arrest the growing trend of terrorism in any part of the country, said that there should be no sacred cows.

Also dismissing the claim, police authorities expressed doubts about such claims insisting that items recovered from the debris of the blasts were not those usually associated with the Boko Haram sect which has adopted a new name.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Abdulrahman Akano, who spoke to the media on the claim, noted that the Boko Haram sect has come to be identified with certain types of weapons and explosive devices with which they carried out attacks and mayhem in the past pointing out that so far, none of these known weapons or devices had been found in Jos.

Reminded that the group claimed responsibility through the internet just as the MEND did in the Abuja blasts of October 1, Akano said such claim cannot be foolproof because the internet is an open place that anybody can post any information into whether it is authentic or not.

A Police source in Abuja said: “What the CP on ground said is very correct. Anybody can post anything on the internet and from investigations so far, materials used for the bombs were not the usual items used by Boko Haram.”

Council of Ulama reacts

Also reacting to the claim of responsibility for the December 24 blasts by Jama’atu Ahlus_Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, spokesman of the Council of Ulama in the state, Mallam Sani Mudi, said the attack stands condemned and doubted the authenticity of the group.

He said in an interview: “I don’t think it is a credible group or that it has any link with any established Islamic organization either in Jos or in the country. I doubt very much. If what I read in the papers is exactly what they placed on the website, then the doubt is further justified. The opening sentence does not reflect something that is truly Islamic. The way they described Allah is not the way Muslims describe him in Islam.

“When we want to refer to Allah we say in the name of God the Beneficent, but they said in the name of God the mighty instead of in the name of God the Almighty. These are fundamental flaws that cannot be ignored.”
In his own response, the Chief Missioner of Al-Fatih-ul Qureeb Islamic Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Sulaimon Adamgba, also saw the latest twist as a very dangerous precedence that would further portray Nigeria as a terrorist nation.
He noted: “It is a very bad action. Islam is against the incessant killing of fellow human beings in any form. It is a religion of peace and has no room for violent termination of human lives. In short Islam condemns any state of insecurity in any nation. You are obligated to call a truce, if you are hurt by anybody’s action. So, we condemn the recent claim by an Islamic group that they planted the bombs in Jos and masterminded the attack in Maiduguri on Christmas eve in all its totality.

A statement in Kaduna by the JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar, said: “The JNI national headquarters under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar, hereby condemns in strong terms the ugly occurrence of crisis in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria, after series of committed efforts to forestall peace and harmony in that state.

“We, therefore, call on the federal and state governments to fish out perpetrators of this heinous crime and bring them to justice. However, all means to restore normalcy should be put in place in order to guard against future occurrence. Finally, we call on Muslims to remain calm and continue to pray to Allah the Most High, for ease and relief to the victims of the crisis.”

However, Chairman of CAN, North Central Zone, Rev. Yakubu Pam viewed the matter differently noting that the claim of responsibility had confirmed speculations that the bombings was masterminded from outside.
He said: “We condemn such an organization wherever they came from. There had been speculations before now that it was Boko Haram that planned it and this (claim of responsibility) just goes to confirm that. We are aware that this thing came from outside even though there might be some people from within. They want Christians to fight Muslims and then the Muslims will fight back and the soldiers will come in and kill people from both sides. That is what they want. We condemn it in totality.”

Police to ascertain status of suspects

Meanwhile, the police are expected to ascertain whether the three suspects arrested in connection with the blasts are members of an Islamic group which has claimed responsibility for the attack. Capt. Charles Nweocha, Media Officer, Special Task Force on Jos crisis, said the three suspects, arrested at Giring (Abattoir) on Sunday, had been handed over to the police for further investigation.

Have we forgoten about the 53 suit cases? Have we forgoten how Buhari jailed Ekwueme and left Shagari? This man does not believe in one Nigeria.

Plus, Buhari will ordinarily be the best bet for Nigeria, however his religious utterances of the past and ethnic chauvinisim has always been the general fear that we all have about this man.

Sorry but if that is the dream ticket, it will prove disastrous to neglect the Igbos for VP or at least the South-South in the present permutation. Any right thinking politician should know that the winning edge in the coming election will come from the South-East/South-South.

What do you people take the igbos for, fools or what? Hausa give Yoruba, Yoruba give Hausa, this time around Tinubu this will mark ACN end politically if you ignore the Igbos. Check history MKO told Nzeribe that he can do without Igbos what happened he won but never ruled & no one seems to remember that.

Nice picture though.

ROSSIKE:

Ochi, do these guys look like they are ready to lose a war to Ivory Coast? 

They look like they had their fill of Liberian women. That is why they had smiles on their face. Don't you know Nigerian troops fathered over 100,000 children during their time in Liberia. Does that sound professional?

Do people actually think the U.S. care about credible elections? lol You see they supported the election in Afghanistan and didn't do much with the election results in Egypt. The U.S. doesn't care about democracy, they only care about their own interest.

Behave yourselves people. No war of words or tribal chest beating.

Beaf:

You will be shocked to find that the only part of Nigeria that is important to the US is the ND. If any unfortunate fellow rocks the oil boat by ejecting a "shon of the shoil," we will definitely see US boots.
Without the ND, Nigeria is almost useless to the rest of the World. Besides that, it is basically impossible for a coup to succeed in current day Nigeria.

Thank you. The Niger Delta remains the most important region to U.S. interest. That is why GEJ is their guy for better or for worse. The U.S. is looking out for its own interest, so it will do everything in its power to suppress a coup or anything that threatens their oil supply. The main reason why AFRICOM was created, was due to the instability of the Niger Delta caused a lot of alarm to American oil companies. That is why they invoked the Carter Doctrine with the Niger Delta.

dem_people:

I understand. I'm from Ajalli and historically, most of the ancestors of the natives migrated (well, my family inclusive) from Arochukwu. Infact, the town is sometimes referred to as; Aro-Ajalli. By my understanding and research, Eri/Nri's influence did not reach Arochukwu. But nwanne, I don't actually care whether it did or not. All I care is that, there's a widely popular and acknowledged ancestor of Ndigbo and, that is Eri. I look up to him as the earliest known OnyeIgbo though of course, his influence did not get to Arochukwu. I understand and accept your point of view though. 

This is a nice discussion. I think we should create a thread that is dedicated to Eri and Nri's influence over the rest of Igboland. Because I read some book concerning Nri and I went back to the elder of my village to ask if they knew about this Eri or Nri kingdom and they had a befuddled look.

And you are Aro man? I am from a small clan called Umuopara. We were once part of the Ohuhu clan but we broke away in the 1940s for some reason. Think it was over a chieftancy dispute, so we are a young clan. But my particular village was founded by the Ngwa and my ancestors are Ngwa. However, with the Aro raids in the region, my village had an influx of different groups from Ibeku, Mbaise etc. But our dialect is similar to Northern Ngwa.

Some people trace the origin of the Igbo to Orlu. I am one of those believers. While others trace it to Eri. Then you have the crackpot theory that we are descended from Jews. *smh*

There is going to be plenty of rigging in Abia though. T.A. Orji has assigned his goons to the "get out the vote" effort. Abia State is really suffering. And the fact that this man stopped the completion of the road to my village pisses me off even more!