By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
A prominent politician and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Imo state, Chief Longers Anyanwu, has said the one-day official visit to Imo state on Thursday September 9, by President Muhammadu Buhari, was an unprecedented diplomatic goal, in a long while, scored by the Igbos of the South East, Nigeria, through governor Hope Uzodimma's consistent engagements with the Buhari administration.
Chief Anyanwu who is popularly known by his name, Longers, however commended the Imo State Government's initiative and efforts under governor Hope Uzodimma, in getting President Buhari to sit in a round table discussion with the key leaders of Igboland, to discuss and reach a fruitful consensus on how best to begin to address the worrisome issues of marginalization of the South East which has been the major cause of youth agitations and restivesness in the zone, since the inception of the administration in 2015.
Longers Anyanwu who was a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Imo State between 2007 to 2011, also commended both the political, socio-cultural, traditional and church leaders in Igboland for their unanimous alliance and courage in peacefully holding talks with President Buhari on issues affecting the Igbos which are at the core of the seeming frosty relationship between the people of the South East Zone and the Buhari government.
Chief Anyanwu was also full of praises for President Buhari for what he described as the Nigerian leader's full demonstration of statesmanship and leadership wisdom by visiting the South East to dialogue with the people, despite what he said was the seed of mutual animosity allegedly sowed by fifth columnists in creating avoidable gulf between a greater proportion of the South East people and the Buhari administration.
The erstwhile National Chairman of Accord Party, Longers Anyanwu, however expressed satisfaction with what he viewed as decorous and wise conducts, despite the existing grievances, exhibited by the angry Igbo youths in Imo state, most of who stayed away from the streets to avoid any disruption of the visit by the President.
He urged Buhari to take a reflective note of the fact that the Igbo youths have so far demonstrated during his visit, that though the zone is highly embittered over its marginalization, they had nothing personal against his administration, but are only insisting that his regime takes necessary steps to address those grievances.
He reminded President Buhari of the need for him and his administration to begin to see the youths in Imo state in particular and the entire Igboland in general, not as misguided ignorant elements, but as well-meaning partners to the success of his administration in Nigeria and for a fair deal to the South East zone.
Anyanwu however called on the aggrieved youths in Igboland to sheath their sword in the interim and give President Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders and elders of the South East Zone the opportunity to deliberate on their discussion with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problems affecting the peace and social stability in the area.
Longers, in his reaction to the President's visit, barred his mind thus to NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER: "President Buhari's visit to Owerri, Imo State yesterday (Thursday) has come and gone, but the impact of his visit on the psyche of Ndigbo and the general tension in the land, has dropped. Never have the Igbo leaders come out to speak courageously and peacefully with one voice on a common issue affecting our common interests as Igbos.
"The political leaders, the church leaders, the traditional rulers and above all the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo ablely led by our erudite and pragmatic son, Professor George Obiozor, spoke to the president in one voice. Paradoxically, the Igbo youths abstained from showing up on the streets during that visit by their sit-at-home option, so as not to cause any unnecessary fracas or embarrassment.
"It is therefore worthy of note, that it is only in Igboland, in the entire Nigeria, that you can find the angry youths exhibit such high level of decorum, despite their annoyance and grievances about the perceived marginalization of their people. On this note, however, l commend the Igbo youths for their uncommon maturity and wisdom in showing respect to Mr President and to the nation, Nigeria. I am very proud of them!
"I am also very proud of the governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma, for his initiative and efforts in ensuring the success of that Presidential visit, especially at a time most people thought that there can never be a rapprochement of any kind between Ndigbo and President Muhammadu Buhari. Governor Uzodimma has broken that record. He has achieved an unprecedented feat in lowering the tensed atmosphere and achieved relative peace in a time of seeming warfare!
"The governor has demonstrated an uncanny conflict resolution skill which l will urge him to further extend to other areas of misunderstanding in the state and in the South East zone. As a good Christian, a pious Catholic himself, the Almighty God has shown the governor favour and mercy, by putting him in a position of leadership of his people. It is a rare opportunity. His God is fighting his battles!
"I am very proud of our President too, for showing that he is a father with a large heart, to all Nigerians, despite their conditions and human imperfections. Buhari has shown that he is completely in charge of all parts of Nigeria, despite the pockets of tension and apprehension.
"By choosing to honour the Imo people and by extension, the citizens of Igboland with his visit, he has shown good statesmanship and respect to our people. I think Mr President has already softened the political ground for a better relationship and rapprochement with the South East. I believe, very strongly, that peace is close by. The President has promised that peace, going by what he discussed with our leaders.
"The fifth columnists, wherever they are operating from, have been the catalysts for whatever existing differences between the President and the Igbos. Our people love and respect Buhari, and we expect a reciprocal gesture from him and his administration, at all times. Ndigbo want to be treated well, like others, in Nigeria. And the same Igbos also desire to treat the President and his government well in return. We fall for each other. That is the game of puppies!
"l want to pat the Igbo youths on the back, once again, for doing the President and the entire country proud by keeping the peace during that Presidential visit. Their respect for Mr President and their loyalty for this country is therefore not in doubt. My clarion call to them, and to all the old and the elderly and the women and children in Imo state and in Igboland too, is for all of us to rally round governor Hope Uzodimma on his noble and praiseworthy diplomatic engagements with the federal government in giving the Igbos a platform to contribute their best for the good and unity of Nigeria.
"This is the time for both the President and his government and the Igbos to forget the past so that we can focus on the future in partnership and better understanding. Governor Uzodimma has made the promise for that partnership possible. He has scored a big political goal without playing to the gallery.
"I therefore plead with the youths of Igboland, once again, to calm down, let's work for peace. No situation in life is permanent. They must sheath their war swords and give the elders and leaders of our zone a chance to achieve for us what mistrust and divisive politics cannot achieve for us", Anyanwu begged. NNL.
