Some media outfits recently reported that Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu

Ojukwu, threw his support and that of Ndigbo behind Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida

(IBB)’s doomed presidential ambition. If correct, it is unfortunate but consistent

with the regrettable antecedents of Ikemba Nnewi.  The Sun On-line reported that The

Ikemba of Nnewi  gave this pledge when a group of IBB campaigners, under the aegis

of Campaign Network for IBB 2011, South East Zone, paid him a courtesy

visit…..during which  he said  “Tell your principal that Igbos are for him. He has

my support and by extension he has the support of the whole Igbo people both at home

and in the Diaspora. He is my friend and I am stoutly behind him ........” The

report further stated that Ojukwu used the occasion to re-christen Babangida as

Okechukwu. He is now Ibrahim Badamasi Okechukwu Babangida. That is his new name. I

wish him success.” 

The Ikemba, like any Igbo, has every right to support and re-christen whoever he

wants or claim titles he so desires, but the facts remain that he has never been

elected to anything by Ndigbo. It is for this reason that we, the Eastern Mandate

Union (EMU)-Abroad wish to disassociate ourselves from yet another Ikemba misguided

antics.  It has been one miscue after another since his return from exile. He joined

the thieving National Party of Nigeria (NPN), campaigned for dictator Sani Abacha

and supported Prof. Maurice Iwu’s tenure extension at INEC. In all these

misadventures, he claimed but garnered no Igbo support. This recent endorsement of

the evil presidential pretender Babangida will be no different.  

While not begrudging Ikemba’s decisions - he is entitled to his failures, however,

it unfortunately appears that selfish quid pro quo is one common thread in his

miscues.  He supported NPN for his return from exile and a shot at the senatorial

seat on NPN platform, Abacha in return for his selection to the Constitutional

Conference, and Maurice Iwu for Anambra governorship award. His most recent support

of IBB may not be unconnected with IBBs role in releasing his family’s property, and

bankrolling the formation of APGA. Meanwhile, it has been observed that his son has

practically relocated to and operating from IBB’s Hilltop mansion in Minna. 

Who in their right senses or with the faintest of credibility would stand next to

Babangida, a man who has so far been unable to extricate himself from his toxic

poop-pit, consisting treason, destruction of our economy, murder ( of Dele Giwa ,

Mamman Vasta, Gani Fawehinmi, and young army officers),  national treasury looting,

human rights abuses, and annulment of the June 12 election?

We respect the Ikemba for his leadership role during the civil war, but his

continued assault on our collective sensibilities ever since, is beginning to wear

us thin. His so-called support of the bankrupt and depraved ambition of Babangida on

our behalf is presumptuous, arrogant, hollow and against everything we stand for. 

Let it be clear therefore, that Ikemba does not speak for us. 

Just like we joined forces during the June 12 struggle to send the military back to

the barracks, defeat the Olusegun Obasanjo 3rd term agenda, successfully prosecute

Abdusalami Abubakar in the US, we will crush IBB.  

During his recent visit to the US, we yielded to our humane instincts and held back

bringing a law suit against him, due to his wife’s ill health. Now, all bets are

off, we dare IBB to return. 

The EMU-Abroad is a US based affiliate of Eastern Mandate Union- a foundation

platform of the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP).  We are a progressive’s platform

committed to removal of all vestiges of military rule in our polity, good

governance, human, religious and environmental rights - including right of

self-determination, and the convocation of a true sovereign national conference.  

Our agenda is clear and no respecter of persons- you are either with us or against us. 

Signed:

On Behalf of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU)-Abroad

N.W. Washington DC, 20011

Prof. Edward Oparaoji, Chairman

Dr. Placidus Adiele, Director International Relations