Less than two weeks after the five governors of the South-east states formally excluded themselves from contesting the 2011 presidential poll, prominent leaders of the zone made up of Ohaneze leaders, pro-democracy and human rights activists yesterday came down hard on the governors, insisting that they were on their own.

They noted that the governors only barred themselves, stressing that every qualified person from the zone who has either a presidential or vice presidential ambition is free to join the race and would not be stopped by anybody. They maintained that time had come for the Igbos to chart a new course for themselves especially as the nation prepares for the next general election.

At a summit held at the Ofu-Obi Africa Centre, Enugu, the leaders said the decision of opting out of the polls next year by the governors was not the position of Ndigbo, stressing that no consultation was done before the decision was taken. They gave a thumb down on the performance of the governors of the zone.

The summit was attended by Ohanaeze delegation led by the former Vice Chairman, Prof Ben Obumselu, Pro-Activist groups led by Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, representatives of opposition political parties led by Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) Secretary General, Willy Ezeugwu, Vicar General, Catholic Church Enugu, Prof Obiora Ike, former Vice chancellor UNN, Prof Chinedu Nebo, human rights groups drawn from Rivers and Delta led by Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Executive Director, Ibuchukwu Ezike among others.

Former Military Administrator of old Imo state, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu was also present.
The summit also passed a vote of no confidence on Igbo leaders like former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, describing them as “failures” and stated that despite their acclaimed pedigree, they have not used the position to advance the course of Igbo people in the country.

They insisted that Ndigbo must play a central role in the 2011 politics of the country, explaining that they must have a say in whoever would become the President of the country.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the summit, its convener Olisa Agbakoba said that the gathering was triggered off by the “political vacuum” in the zone, stressing that those who have paraded themselves as leaders have disappointed the people.
He stated that 2011 is an opportunity for the zone to restructure itself and play a leading role in the political affairs of the country. He added that the docility of the leaders has robbed the zone of the basic necessities of living.

In 2011, he said it would be a disservice for the people of the zone if those who feel aggrieved keep quiet and allow certain unpopular decision that have marginalized and left the zone in penury continue to hold sway. He explained that a position like the one recently taken by the governors of the zone was one among many that have kept the South-east backward.

He said, “there are several issues on the front burner at this time, one of it is that the North wants power back to their zone and the next is that the President has not made up his mind to run for the Presidency, yet someone is sitting for three hours to say that the South-east will not have a shot at the Presidency next year.

“That is not the position of Ndigbo and the governors cannot be speaking for us. It tells you that there is disconnect and communication gap between them and the people, they did not consult anybody before taking the position and to us, it is not acceptable.”

He stated that the summit reviewed the position of Ndigbo in the affairs of the country since the end of the civil war and came to the conclusion that the zone has been marginalized.
“It is a same that we have people like Dr Ekwueme and co as leaders in this zone. There is massive vacuum and crying gap between the leaders and the led. We have to help this zone and stop these few who can only go to Abuja and pick appointments all to themselves,” he added.

He stated that since the end of the war and with the declaration by Gowon of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation, nothing had happened in the zone, stressing that, it was right and proper to set up a Ministry for the South East zone to reconstruct the war torn areas of the zone in line with the healing process.

“If today the federal government has set up a Ministry to take care of the Niger Delta region because of the devastation that took place in the area, such Ministry should be established for the South East, who were turned into shreds by war,” he said.
Agbakoba said the group, which is not a political party would undertake a tour of the zone with a aim of bringing together all the dilapidations that have taken place in the zone and present same to the federal government, stressing that the zone remains the only one that still reels in under development and marginalization.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Change Nigeria , Rear Admiral Ndubisi Kalu [rtd] said that nothing could change in the country unless the fundamental defects of the country were addressed.
He said, “It is not about leadership or elections or corruption per se, as some may want to believe, because it is the same fundamental defect that has been responsible for the failure of leadership, bred and breeds corruption and wrought fake elections. And so, until the underlying cause is addressed the trajectory will continue, today worse than yesterday, tomorrow readying to be worse than today,” he said.