₦airaland Forum

[size=16pt]Nwodo: Why South-East governors are not interested in replacement[/size]

From TAIWO AMODU, Abuja
Friday, January 21, 2011

Contrary to speculations that South-East chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are already scouting for a replacement for the dislodged national chairman of the party, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, who tendered his resignation letter on Tuesday, Daily Sun can authoritatively reveal that PDP governors from the zone are indifferent to early replacement for the position allotted to the zone by the party.

Stalwarts of the party whose names were being dropped as contenders for the office include former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; former Transport Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and a chieftain of the party from Imo State, Chief Osita Ozichukwu.

But a chieftain of the party from the zone told Daily Sun that the PDP Governors from South-East at their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday night told him that they were not interested in any replacement for Dr Nwodo, as they were wary of the raw deal that the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime experienced while Nwodo, who is also from Enugu, was calling the shots at Wadata Plaza.

“ I don’t think that it is true that we are already scouting for replacement for Nwodo. [b]In fact, I can tell you that the governors aren’t interested at, least for now and they told the President this on Monday night when he asked them for names as possible replacement for Nwodo; that was on the eve of the PDP NEC meeting. They had told the President that the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Bello Mohammed, should just manage the party affairs in acting capacity, until after the general elections in April, [/b]Daily Sun sources disclosed.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/jan/21/national-21-01-2011-011.htm

^^

hehehe!

Posted by: Ileke-IdI

[b]ngba ti [/b]a fi d'ele e, owo wo lo ku lati fi jeun?



Anywaz, where is KoboJunkie? I'd like to read her opinion on this.

So, you guys can't say anything without "Yoruba"? lol.
Tuning her piano

Posted by: PhysicsMHD

Developed by who?

I hope you don't mean the federal government and are instead complaining about local government failure. There's absolutely no justifiable reason why the federal government would focus on that one city (Nnewi) over the multitude of others in the federation. It would be no different than when Abacha was using federal money to build up Kano (a historical capital city of hundreds of years) as though Kano had any precedence or priority over the others in the federation, or "deserved" to be built up more than every other city because it was/is a commercial center and hub of activity.

The only cities which will ever have any priority to the dirt-poor Nigerian governments (federal and local) are those that are capitals of the country (Lagos, previously, and now Abuja) simply to keep up appearances or capitals of a state (the government of a state usually spends disproportionately high amounts on the state capital.). The oil-poor (not "oil-rich" Nigerian federal government cannot possibly afford to truly build up and/or maintain every decently sized city in Nigeria, nor can the state governments of most states afford to build up every decent sized city within their state.

This Nnewi is not even a capital and yet people are lamenting over it in particular as though other non-capital cities are faring any better. If the infrastructure is rotting in that city, as in any many many other cities in Nigeria, it's up to the state government and concerned citizens to look for outside sources of funding for developmental projects. Blaming it on the federal government is just weak.

If you read his statement fully, I don't think he is expecting the federal government to "develop" Nnewi.
Most Nnewi guys don't think like that.

But in developing something like electricity and infrastructure, you would agree that federal support could help.

The solution lies with implementation of the masterplan by the state government. Of course in a properly managed country, the federal government will provide incentives to strategic industries like auto-allied industries by building power plants, federal roads, etc.

Nnewi is not the only city in Nigeria, but you better believe that the town is more productive than most of the so called state capitals in Nigeria.

To recap my solution: Implement the city masterplan and design a regional masterplan to cover the entire eastern Nigeria.

The industries in Nnewi need easier import/export, transportation, access. Plowing back taxes and customs duties to the town/LGA will provide a longer term funding for infrastructure development.

Also, a clever business/Local government partnership will further expand local funding options.

I'm happy that the great Ikemba is recovering.
God is good. He never lets down those that trust in him. Ndigbo prayed, and he answered. May God's name be glorified.
Amen.

Isn't it baffling to see a character like Eko -ileole (babapupagoat) always butting into Igbo affairs?
How is Nnewi threatening him now?

Well, i think I can figure out the reason.

Most of the business men in Nnewi used to base completely in Lagos before they moved to the east. In fact I am yet to see a Lagos based Nnewi business man worth his onions that does not have a base in Nnewi, from Coscharis group to Innoson auto plant, to Ekene dili chukwu. I know that certain goods are only sourced in Nnewi.

In those cases, the business men import their goods through Lagos ports, and haul it to the east.

When they sell it, they add all the fees -cost of haulage, bribes shared to all thieves along the Lagos -Onitsha -Nnewi route etc. + profit of course.
So, in essence, the town's businessmen are an excellent example of how to plan your future as an Igboman in Nigeria.

These are things that I expect our SE governors to understand, and explain it to their SS counterparts so that we can move our economy eastwards gradually but steadily.

No one will do this for us. In some ways, those at the center might even sabotage it, hence the total neglect the town has been facing.

The question is, do SE governors understand this? 

Waiting for federal support is a futile idea.

My proposed solution: Use the existing city masterplans; create a regional masterplan, and implement them piecemeal.

YES WE CAN! 

Posted by: KnowAll

D federal gov gets 55% of revenue they should cut it to 50%
State's gets 30% & LG gets 15% they should reduce LG to 10 and pass d 10% got from both FG & LG to city Goverment but d emphasis on City Goverments would be they should endeavour to raise money privately rather waiting for d Feds just like d current state & LG govts. [/b]We must discourage creating another group of no-hopers who would be expecting d Feds to bail  & bankroll them month after month. [b]Any city that does not achieve self sufficiency within 5 years funds would be withdrawn from dat city & d area would be merged with any adjoining LG that means d money due to d city would be giving to d LG since d city has lost her right of being referred as a city.

Solid points.

I also think that the federal government should not control more than 50% of funds. Even 50% sef too much; wetin dem de do with the money sef? Nor be to go waste am for ECOMOG?

Cities are incorporated (as businesses) in the US. Cities go bankrupt. I may not want to go that far for Nigeria because of difference of social systems, but we should really stop cheating hardworking and productive cities/towns.

We need to encourage towns to aspire. If they know that they will receive that federal allocations whether they deserve it or not, they will NEVER work hard.
Funds should be allocated more to areas that generate it.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

The question we should be asking ourselves is if Nnewi any different from all the South-East towns who potential hasn't been tapped into? Igboland is blessed with many cities that can be economic powerhouses, but the failure of the Nigerian Federal Government to look at these towns is quite appalling.

What Igboland needs is a massive investment in infrastructure throughout the whole region. Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba, Owerri, Umuahia, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Agbor, Orlu, Okigwe & Asaba.

Agreed.
That is why I think that Peter Obi (the current SE governors forum chairman) should pick up the leadership necessary to bring it about. Under his leadership, SE governors have been able to rally and speak with one voice. He is also in very good terms with SS governors. There is a need for a Regional Masterplan for the SE/SS because things like transit trains, port of import/export, electricity and roads can be tackled jointly.

Somehow though, I don't think you can do anything along that line without the federal government at least looking the other way. They historically step in to stop such collaborations -ask Ngige how he battled Obasanjo just to allow him repair federal roads in Anambra. And even when the states repair federal roads, the fed gvt. never reimburses them.

Nigeria's political structure is a HUGE BURDEN on development.

Posted by: KnowAll

If it is true Nnewi has all these industries & markets as d poster porported then d development of d city should be privately driven. What is d point industrialist & marketeers having N50 to N100 million naira in their accounts & yet the town is left to rut. That is why I have always preached d necessity of any city above 50,000 in Nigeria to have a Mayor who would be voted into office every 4 or 5 years.

In most cases the mayor would be a man of outstanding influence who would be able to draw considerable investment to his domain.

Your points are very true, especially the city Mayor part. I don't understand how Nigeria can be practicing an American brand of government, but fail to adopt some of the most important ingredients of the American system which make the system work in the US.
Nigeria simply copied federal, state and local goverment and stopped there. In the US it is even four levels of govt -Federal, state, County and Local (City) governmnet. The City leader (Mayor) is elected, but City Manager is not. Both Mayor and manager run the city.

In such an arrangement, a town like Nnewi would be fine.

Posted by: dem_people

People often forget that Anambra state receives one of the lowest federal allocations albeit the numerous businesses in the state. Its IGR is about N12BN per annum. With the meagre finance at its disposal, its really quite challenging to invest massively in infrastructure. Nnewi, just like other cities in Anambra, is unplanned. I currently have the draft of the master plans for Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi with me which was designed by the United Nations Human Habitat Programme. To implement the plans requires at least more than N1.3tn.

Its a challenge but I think the governor is waiting on the FG for some assistance e.g. designating Anambra as an oil producing state - which ofcourse, will guarantee much more funds available to the state coffers.

The bolded is an example of why groups like MASSOB have strong base in Nnewi. Imagine a country where a state has to become an oil producing state before it can attract commensurate federal derivations?

What happens to equitable distribution of import duties and business taxes?

Why should a business in Nnewi be supporting another unproductive town in Nigeria?
Isn't it fair to ask for 13% derivation on import duties and business taxes for the towns (not even states ) hosting the businesses?

How can Nigeria grow economically, when everyone is waiting for oil based allocations?

The master plan presents an opportunity for leadership on the part of the state government.
Obi should step up to the plate, instead of waiting for Anambra state to be designated an oil producing state.
There are so many ways he can implement the master plan without breaking the bank.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

This is most worrisome, Nnewi City boasts of the popular Innoson Motor Manufacturing company Chikason Group, Cutix Cable, Chartered Aluminum, Ibeto Industries, Kotec Industries, Tummy-Tummy Noodles Nig. Ltd and many industries too numerous to mention. The total work force of these industries is in excess of 10,000 workers. Nnewi-City also accommodates the popular motorcycle spare parts market, the largest in West Africa with more than 100,000 individuals going to this market everyday to transact business.

Nnewi typifies the story of Igbo in Nigeria, and the indomitable spirit of the Igbo. Notice that the ONLY thing missing in the town is government presence.

I remember that even the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) was located in Nnewi because Nnewi folks paid N12 million to the launching fund when Naira was 1N =1$ (an equivalent of $12million) back in the middle 80s.

In a country where priority is given to growth areas, Nnewi would be getting more attention from Federal govt. than other less productive towns sitting idly by and waiting on government allocations. Federal government should support the town as a model.

If there was a law that ceded roads and other infrastructures to towns or Local governments only, Nnewi would have taken care of her own business. The problem is that most of the businesses in Nnewi pay huge import/export taxes and duties, yet their town is ignored by the Federal government.

Peter Obi should step up and provide the leadership necessary to transform the infrastructure in Nnewi.

This is one area where I sometimes feel that Charles Soludo would have performed better than Obi, because Soludo is a transformative type of a leader. Obi is the "never rock the boat" type.  Soludo would have rocked the boat to get things done.

Like someone already said, Obi should bear in mind that he is the de facto leader of APGA now, and he should show what APGA can do for Ndigbo.

Posted by: namfav

igbos are a threat to  our peace with all their instigation and provoking nature, thats noe lie, you cannibals will do anything in your powers to distabilise the region, all im saying is becareful what you wish for, igbos will never get biafra if thats what your'e saying, igbos were weak yesterday and they will be so tomorrow, as i said before i don't want war, but if you wish for a reaction, there wll be a reaction

My friend go and sit down.
You instigate and initiate violence, and when we fight you in your land you start claiming that we threaten your peace and destabilize your region.
Which peace? The peace of the desert?
"Weak" Igbos chased you into birnim Kano in 1992. fkcing goat. 

Biafra is not your call. If Igbos want it, there is nothing you can do about it.

Right now, with the Abuja properties in our pocket,  it is Sai Wan Naijeria!  

Posted by: namfav

you are saying we are weak and you are strong, why don't you have your wish? you will never get biafra, now tell me who's weak, you are wishing on a civil war because most of yoou will use the civil war ticket to go to europe and america

Dude, it is now clear that you have a comprehension problem, and also suffer from some form of mental retardation.

Who posted this first?

we are not threatned by igbos, why should we feel threatned by uncivilized animals the only thing that you threaten us for is our peace, you take our generousity for a weakness but becareful, don't wish the worse on anyone not even the person you hate the most or you will suffer, the north will never suffer, its just igbos don't let history repeat itself because we know who will suffer the most,

And that was your response to simple question about why you attack Igbo for every slighest excuse.
I then set out to prove to you that only the weak groups attack foreigners in their lands.

Strong groups don't do that because they have nothing to fear.
My people have fought you in Kano and Kaduna. Weak people don't fight in foreign lands.

As for getting what we want (seemingly Biafra in your own opinion), have you thought of the fact that maybe we may have changed our minds about leaving Nigeria? No need fighting the whole world over it.

You may not believe it, but I believe that Biafra is far removed from your control.
If Igbos really want Biafra, it will be decided by the same powers that fought the war for you.

You have NO SAY in that.
Meanwhile are you getting what YOU want in Nigeria? The table is slowly turning.  

And you and your brothers are also quick to accuse innocent people of inciting violence, when it is YOU can threaten to kill people at the slightest chance.

Take heed of[b] joeyfire's [/b]words because you won't survive the next war.

Posted by: namfav

becareful what you wish for, igbos will face extinction if you declare war on the  north, igbos are too weak to fight

Your people are the weakest Nigerians i swear. OBJ knew this -he is the only Nigerian leader from the south that saw the civil war first hand and knew who did what. So he decided to put you under his nyash. He knew you are pu55ies and he is right.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

Let them have their own nation. [/b]That is the only way peace will reign. Split this nation, so we can all go on with our lives.

They ain't going nowhere!

[size=14pt][b]Sai wan Naijeria! [/size]

Posted by: namfav

you wanted biafra, you did not get biafra, if you are the fighters you clam to be why don't you have biafra? igbos are weak, you start picking fights for the failures you are you try and cry foul for any reaction, good for nothing instigators

We lost because we fought the whole world.
We have left that behind.
No need reminding you how you "won".

We ain't leaving Nigeria for your sorry lazy type again. We have invested too much now.
You will get the real war eventually though; heck it is already starting in Jos. We shall see how you perform next time.

Like I said before, you are a fat Womanliness with a long nose. Nothing more.

Question for namfav:

Who will buy your father's house?

Oh I remember now!
Those desert rats calling themselves Boko Haram!

Now check this house!

Posted by: namfav

i will sell my fathers house when igbos unite

igbos are too weak to unite, all of them will probably resort back to cannibalism by the time they unite

Please forumites compare and contrast the houses!

@namfav

You were asked some simple questions and you still failed woefully.
Here are the questions again:

What exactly is it that Northereners have against the Igbos?
You say Igbos provoked the attacks on them in the North/Jos? Can you give us facts of this? Not Sentiment, but FACTS?
Why is it that when you quarrel with the Berom in Jos, you turn round to attack Igbos also?
Please explain in coherent and factual manner what exactly is at the root of the Northern aggression against the Igbos as a tribe?

namfav is a fat Womanliness with a long nose; nothing more.   His type was felled first by the bullets of teenage Biafran soldiers during the war. We have seen his type severally. He claims far more than he could ever deliver if left with only Igbos.

He revels in the singular war the Igbo lost against the whole world, and claim same as his ultimate proof of his group's supremacy over ALL OTHER NIGERIANS.
A fisherman from a tiny tribe in the east is currently giving his big for nothing group a political hiding as we speak.

lmao!  

Posted by: ndu_chucks

If you truly believe that the action of a few [b]bribed PDP delegates [/b]is indicative of the notion that the North can be divided in the manner you've assumed above, then you'd be in for a rude awakening, sooner rather than later.

You see my point?

When was the last time northern political delegates took bribes to sabotage the desires of their own people? Where is that "monolithic north"?
Dem chop bride and tossed dem people under bus?
You see that the battle is half won already? lmao. 

Pray, how else do you divide a people if not by dividing their leaders?
You of all people should know because that is your stock in trade.

I'm laughing bro. 

Posted by: Obiagu1

Thank you.

OnlyTruth, listen to the voice of the wise one.

I know what [b]Eziachi [/b]is saying and he is right. My only addition is that in a Nigeria where there is no zoning, or quota system, or any non-merit based selection process, Ndigbo will NOT be the greatest losers. In fact we will be the greatest winners because we work hardest at attaining our goals.

Don't let the last 43 years of Nigeria's history blind you to the possibilities of the future.

The greatest achievement by Jonathan so far is that he proved that the north can be as divided (if not even more divided) than the eastern or other parts of Nigeria.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, all we need to do is go home and put on our thinking caps.
Any form of non-merit based selection process in Nigeria cheats Ndigbo because we parade some of the most qualified Nigerians.

So, don't cry bro. Cheer up.

Achoghi m ka ndi-iro anyi mara ihe m na-agwa gi n'igbo mana, o bulu na-ibu onye igbo, nnukwu ifele mee gi. I also grew up in the East and have the map of the place in my grey matter. All those problems you mentioned can be found in other ethnic groups and are not entirely peculiar to Ndigbo. Infact, other Nigerians can testify to the strong family unit of Ndigbo compared to theirs. Why do you think Ndigbo love travelling home to their respective towns to celebrate Iwaji, Igba-nkwu, ekeresimesi, nzuko august etc? Which Nigerians prefer to build houses FIRST in their villages before doing so anywhere else in Nigeria? O dika ibulugo efulefu!

lol.

I love my Igbo brothers so much. We whip one another into line when we stray.
Thanks bro.

PDP should take back the chairmanship position zoned to the SE. It is a useless position. At least I'm glad that another Igboman is not replacing Nwodo for now.

Still, this mindless shuffling leaves a sour taste in the mouth.  It is an elementary political stratagem -someone is systematically trying to cast SE in bad light.

Believe me, if there is ever a free and fair elections in April, GEJ may not win SE, though I'm beginning to suspect that he is not planning to win SE fairly. I won't speculate on that.

This is time for Ndigbo to really strategize.
Unless Igbo leadership knows of GEJ innermost motives and are assured of his good intentions, it may be time to reevaluate our support of him.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

Onlytruth, so what do you expect to happen though? I think Nwodo's chances of retaining his position is quite slim. And I also see the chance of having another Igbo man replace him will be out of the question. This is my greatest fear. Shame on Nwodo for putting us in this predicament. All he had to do was stop meddling in other people's affairs.

The whole thing is more than meets the eyes, but I like GEJ so I would give him a break.

Having said that, I don't expect Nwodo to be ousted because of the points I made, unless there is a juicier position in the pipeline for Ndigbo in exchange for that useless post.
Frankly, that PDP chairmanship is nonsense. They can give it to whoever, I don't care.

We need a strong political post in Nigeria. That PDP chairmanship is OBJ's insult on Ndigbo.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

Maybe I am arguing blindly, because I do not like how he was treating Sullivan Chime. He just left a bad taste in my mouth by his shenanigans. Especially, with his involvement with Atiku, but that is another story.

Honestly, I do not think GEJ would save Nwodo. If GEJ saves Nwodo, it may show people that GEJ has mercy for his enemies. And by giving mercy to Nwodo, he will gain an ally, because Nwodo would understand that GEJ gave him another chance. That is the smart thing GEJ could do, but I doubt he will do it. However, we may all be surprised.

Exactly my point.
Why should he set millions of tongues wagging in Igboland just to please Ekweremadu and Chime?
They recommended Nwodo before, didn't they?
They should live with it.
As for GEJ, he is presently enjoying a cult-like following in Igboland. He shouldn't risk that.
The general elections is around the corner.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

They should have picked Anyim Pius Anyim. Now he is a shrewd Igbo politician who have the Igbo's interest in mind. Nwodo is just a greedy fool, who only wants power for himself. I am so very happy they are showing him the door.

Firstly, why didn't they pick Anyim? 
Who also told you that Anyim's agenda would align with that of other Igbos gunning for his post, or GEJ who may be trying to divide Ndigbo for whatever personal reasons? 

Sorry, I am not convinced.

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

I am not Beaf, I just think Nwodo is a fool . He picked with one of my favorite South-East governors, which I find disgusting. Sullivan Chime is the closest thing to Fashola that we Igbos have.

Nwodo falls in a long line of Igbo politicians who only care about themselves instead of wider Ndi Igbo. That is reprehensible in my opinion. Just think for a second and understand the damage that Nwodo has done to the Igbo cause.

And who told you that his next replacement will be perfect?

Do you know when Bankole was almost removed? Why wasn't he removed?

Nwodo should be cautioned privately, but he should be left alone.  

Posted by: Beaf

No, he isn't allowed to commit murder on the job. From an Igbo perspective, I would be very concerned if just one man attempted to ambush the direction the whole of Igbo land had so resoundingly decided to move in.
GEJ has a way of thinking that is far sighted and diplomatic, so I cannot say for certain how things would go by the end of the day, but it looks bleak for Nwodo.

Well, we shall see.
All I know is that there is no way this bodes well for Ndigbo.

When they (GEJ and some Igbo hawks) wanted to remove Ogbulafor, they did not take care to pick a befitting replacement.

The whole thing is a juvenile game IMHO. Any smart Igbo would see an attempt to paint us in bad light.  

Posted by: Kalu Akanu

Nwodo dug his own grave. Now he needs to lie in it. GEJ should not save him. And I wouldn't blame GEJ for not saving him. Nwodo picked a losing side and now he has to suffer the consequences.

It is Igbo politicians like him, who give the rest of the Igbo people a bad name. We do not speak with one voice as he clearly illustrated for all of Nigeria to see. This is unforgivable.

Somehow you sound like Beaf! You just joined nairaland.
I hate debating one person twice.

THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE PICKED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Again, all these talks of his being loyal to Atiku is ridiculous.

I don't care if he committed murder on the job.

They should have known BEFORE bringing him in to replace Ogbulafor. For me the story ends there.
If you are Igbo, please always try to view things from the national perspective. We are not the only ones in Nigeria.

This is NOT about Nwodo now. It is about Ndigbo.

They should leave him alone.