The Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, has demanded for immediate commencement of a national conference in Nigeria.
Arising from its 14th national convention, Saturday in Enugu, IYM said, as a matter of urgency, the conference should be held before the 2015 general elections. The National President of the IYM, Evangelist Eliot, Ukoh who disclosed the group’s position said that although the Igbo youths believed in one Nigeria, such would not be effective without a deliberate restructuring of the country.
“I want to make it very clear that we so much believe in Nigeria, but what we are saying is that the country must be restructured.
“For such restructuring to be done, we believe that a national conference is inevitable, I don’t know why they are delaying it”, Ukoh said.
Also, speaking, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife said the IYM’s call for national conference was faultless.
“I agree with IYM that Nigeria must have a national dialogue”, he said, stressing “if not for anything else, after 100 years of our existence, we should be able to talk about ourselves, we will remain together but we have to understand ourselves”. Similarly, an erudite lawyer, Mr. Solomon Asemota, SAN, said “the constitution we are operating now is very defective. Even the National Assembly has agreed to that and that’s why 60 areas have been short-listed for amendment.
“The constitution gave us right to vote but no corresponding right to be voted for, rather political parties have right to be voted for.
“So, to have a credible election demands that we have a people’s constitution. Also, asking that there should be a national conference before the election is very valid”.
The event also featured posthumous awards on eminent Igbo personalities in to include Dr. Cyprian Ekwensi, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Prof. Kenneth Dike, among others.
Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN, received award in person as “role model and icon of hope”, for his contribution to the progress of Ndigbo, especially in his pioneering role at Ohaneze Ndigbo. Theme of the convention was “National Conference Before 2015 Elections, only Roadmap to a Greater Nigeria”.
Groups and individuals the Afenifere, the Ijaw Youth Congress, special adviser to President Jonathan on inter party matters, Senator Ben Obi, Gen Alanni Akinrinade, among others were present at the event.
Comments