2007 Presidency:Clamour For Political Reforms Grow In Nigeria
Akanimo Sampson - Port Harcourt,Nigeria
NIGERIA is still awash with agitation for a broad-based political reforms before the uncertain 2007 presidential
elections in the country.Already, most of the dominant ethnic groups are resorting to spiritual powers to push their
political agenda.
The South East geo-political zone seems to have turned to God in respect of their presidential project in 2007. They are
also pushing for political reforms.
President General of the Federated Igbo Congress (FIC), a socio-cultural group,Chief Cosmas Ikechukwu Enweluzo, and Rev.
Canon Godwin Ozumba, of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Rumueme Parish, made these facts known to SCOOP in Port Harcourt,
the Rivers State capital.
The state is one of Nigeria's major oil and gas producer..
While Ozumba claimed that they (clerics) are for Igbo politicians who will serve Nigeria selflessly, Enweluzo, who is
also a lawyer, confirmed, “we have committed the political aspirations of Ndigbo in 2007 to God. For us, this is God’s
time for Ndigbo.”
It was however, gathered the from these two prominent Igbo sources that there is a deep longing in the South East
geo-political zone for political reforms in Nigeria before 2007.
For the Anglican canon, the political process in Nigeria still remains allegedly stuck in the dirty quagmire of black
money. He claimed that the influence of such money, alleged greed and utter lack of responsibility have made it
difficult for the country’s leaders to act decisively.
In the mean time, Enweluzo, has said that he is a pro-reform leader. According to him, “the FIC supports the clamour for
good governance, progressive activities, national unity”.
“But, he went on, “politics in Nigeria seems to be criminalized. From all available indications, the criminalisation of
politics appears to be engulfing the political parties instead of witnessing a setback. This is vividly captured with
what is happening in Anambra State.”
Continuing, he added, “the benefits of democracy through good governance may not be realized in Anambra and other
trouble spot in Nigeria, as long as the political parties in power are not sufficiently cleansed and made competent to
serve people’s interest.”
Good governance, he claimed, can be attained in some measures only through the carrying out of political reforms to make
the Nigerian political system fit enough to deliver good governance.
“A situation where some sections of the country like the South East and South South zones are in slavery and bondage in
Nigeria, is not good enough for a country that is destined for greatness. We should strive to dismantle every
impediments that have made it impossible for all hands to be on deck”, the FIC said.
According to the Igbo congress, “it is high time concrete measure were put in place to end the continued marginalisation
and neglect of the South East and the South South. These two geo-political zones are being devastated by environmental
problems. This, must not be allowed to continue. Wed are opposed to continued injustice in Nigeria”.