Victor Umeh weeps at Zik’s grave, Reports Okorocha, Obi’s defections To Zik

         

Drama has continued to play out over the defection of former Goevrnor Peter Obi and Governor Rochas Okorocha as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alli­ance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday wept at the grave of the late Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, at his Inosi Onira residence, Onitsha.

He also reported the defections of the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, to PDP and Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, to APC to the late nationalist and first indigenous President-General of the country.

Umeh, who broke into tears while narrating the ordeals of Igbo in the present-day Nigeria, said the Igbo race had never been at the crossroads like today since the history of Nigeria, adding that there was need for them to come together to form a formidable block that can negotiate with other ethnic nationalities in the country.

While addressing the first son of the late Azikiwe, Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe, the APGA National Chairman, who is also running for the senatorial seat in Anambra Central, also said Igbo were in dilemma.

He said he felt pain over the condi­tion and position of Igbo in the country, noting that before the civil war, Igbo were very proud, respected and feared people, who stood and stuck their neck in the unity of the country, citing the late Zik, whom he described as a legend and father of Nigeria, as one of those who made Igbo proud.

He stated: “Your father, the great Zik, was a great gift to Africa, Nigeria, Ndigbo and Onitsha in particular. It pains me that since the demise of the Owelle of Africa and the subsequent demise of great Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ndigbo have been at the crossroads. Zik fought for the entire black race and Igbo were very proud and respected people, but tragedy came when they started killing us and it became very unbearable and God raised Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”

“Today, Igbo have been plunged into difficulties and all weapons, includ­ing political starvation are being used against us. During the long military rule, the Igbo were consigned into hopelessness and till today, we are made the insignificant minority in Nigeria, which your father, the great legendry Nnamdi Azikiwe fought for.”

Umeh shed tears when he remem­bered how APGA and Igbo stood behind former Governor Obi and Governor Okorocha to win elections in their respective states, only for them to dump the party on which they ascended the positions.

“Ndigbo are at the crossroads. I have been fighting this war with some of them with fake Igbo interests. I came to you because even though your fa­ther, the great Zik, is no more, Ndigbo still believe in you, as the representa­tive of your father. Whatever you say is as good as your father; call Ndigbo back. Ndigbo must go back to basics. APGA and Ndigbo stood behind Chief Peter Obi and he became the governor of Anambra State for unbroken eight years of two terms. The party led Ro­chas Okorocha of Imo State to vic­tory in Imo State in 2011 and today, these people have wandered away to PDP and APC, respectively,” he lamented.

The APGA chairman said these defected governors were elected into offices on the sentiments of the legendry Zik and Ojukwu and lamented that they derailed when Igbo were already savouring the unity APGA had brought among them.

On the Presidency of President Goodluck Jonathan, Umeh said Igbo had given the President condi­tion for supporting him in 2015 general election.

Member of the APGA Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, lamented that despite the trust and love Igbo had for the unity of the country, they had al­ways been the endangered species in the country.

Responding, Zik’s son said Igbo and APGA needed to go into healthy alliance with ruling party that would benefit the interest of Igbo in the country, adding that what Ndigbo needed was to unite and strategise for tomorrow.

He said his father fought for the emancipation of entire Nigeria and indeed, the entire black race, and urged politicians, participating in all elective positions in the states of Igbo and Nigeria in general to conduct themselves in line with the stipulated rules and regulations.

Umeh was accompanied by the chairmen of Idemili North and South local government areas, Chief Obi Idemobi and Prince Henry Ezenwa as well as other sup­porters, including members of the United Igbo Peoples Congress, led by Chief Uche Madu.