Maduako Igbokwe l Wednesday, December 30, 2020
ONITSHA, Nigeria – Member of the radical wing of the Zikist Movement and first republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi has said it will be improper to sideline the ideal of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in any discourse for the renegotiation of Nigeria.
He reassured his commitment to championing the unity of Nigeria. He said he would never take a back seat in discussing issues concerning the country, especially its unity. Amaech spoke at weekend during a press conference organised by Global Movement for Igbo Presidency at his country home in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Whatever concerns the betterment of Nigeria, I will always take part in it. I’m the only surviving member of our set. We know how hard we fought to achieve independence for Nigeria, and up till today, I still look forward to a better Nigeria. Whatever concerns Nigeria, I will not take back seat, that is why I accepted when I was told to be a part of this press conference by GLOMIP.
“I am one of those who fought for the independence. I suffered incarceration, and apart from being a member of NCNC, I was a member of the Zikist movement, the radical wing of the party. I was in prison many times because of independence of Nigeria and my first imprisonment was at the age of 21.
“There is need to come together and renegotiate the basis of our unity for equity sake. This part of the country (South-East) has been marginalized for too long. Only renegotiation will quell the agitations by some people in the country.
“We the Zikist Movement always went in and out of prison those days, and I remember that each time someone came out of prison, we organized a reception for him and in the midst of that, we always gave out white caps to them with the inscription – PG, meaning, Prison Graduate, and we always wore it with pride to public places, even in motor parks.
“I remember that we fought this fight without any ulterior motive. It was after independence that someone recommended me for minister, saying that I suffered too much in the struggle. That was how I became the youngest minister of the first republic.
“In 1966, the military struck, and from one military head to another for 38 years, and Nigeria became a stinking cesspool of corruption. There is need to salvage the country and we pray whoever that can salvage her, let God throw him up ” he said.
Earlier in his address, the leader of GLOMIP, Kennedy Iyere said Nigeria deserved better deal than what we have today.
Speaking also, the former minister of women’s affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih said the group was not only asking for an Igbo man to be president, but that the Igbo man must come from the South-East zone.
