Restructure, renegotiate, decentralise Nigeria, Obiozor tells FG

Says militarisation will lead to disintegration

With conflicts between the military and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Orlu area of Imo State and some parts of the country, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, has called for restructuring, renegotiation, decentralisation of the country as an anti-dote to peace.

Obiozor, who led a delegation of executive members of the apex Igbo socio-cultural body consisting of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; the Assistant National Treasurer, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu; Imo State President of the body, Chidi Ihemedu, among others, to the palace of Eze Emmanuel Okeke, the tradition ruler of Amaifeke Orlu, to ascertain the nature of the crisis that led to loss of lives.

He said: “Our position is that no matter how bad Nigerian problems may be, only peaceful solution will be best to guarantee Nigerian unity. This can be achieved through a restructured, renegotiated, decentralised (country) or through power devolution.

“On the other hand, use of force, intimidation or violence will be a national catastrophe, which should be avoided. Use of violent method will lead to synchronised national crises and ultimate disintegration of Nigeria. This too must be avoided. Those who preach or prefer military solution to Nigerian problems are, today, equally a threat to Nigeria’s unity as those enemies they are fighting.”

Cautioning the precarious situation of the country, he added: “Nigeria is in a precarious situation and a great caution must be taken by the leadership to avoid events that have the capacity of incrementally aggravating or opening more theatres of national crises.

“Insecurity in the country is real and must be treated as a matter of national emergency. In this context, I congratulate the South East governors and governments for the anti- grazing ban.”

Okeke, who is also the chairman of Imo Community Policing, regretted the clash, maintaining that the area was not known for shedding of blood.

He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for inviting the military to calm the situation and urged the residents to maintain peace always.