Ezeife: Igbo not begging Buhari for appointments… on merit, we are Nigeria’s best
Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra state, says the Igbo are not begging President Muhammadu Buhari to give them appointments because, on merit, “we have the best people in Nigeria”.
In an interview with Sunday Punch on the perceived lopsidedness of Buhari’s appointments so far, Ezeife said the appointment of Ibe Kachikwu as the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will not atone for “many neglects and insults”.
Kachikwu is an Igbo from Delta state in the south-south and his appointment was thought to have calmed fears about a perceived agenda against the Igbo.
But Ezeife said: “It is not atonement for the many neglects and insults that have happened with the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other agencies. How would a President appoint people into key positions in Nigeria, yet none of them is Igbo? What kind of thing is that?
“On merit, we have the best people in Nigeria and that is not boasting. On motivation, it is the same thing. If Buhari wants to ignore federal character, we are not begging him for any appointment.
“And it is good for us to know where we belong and make appropriate adjustments. It is not a matter of whether Nigeria appreciates us or not. If they think we have done enough and we should go, there is more where what we brought to Nigeria came from. It came from God and we are not going to throw it away. If we go away, we leave with it. We like Nigeria, but one cannot insult and treat a group as if they don’t exist.”
There are fears in the south-east that their failure to vote for Buhari in the March 28 election may lead to the marginalisation of the Igbo in his administration.
Buhari recently said those who gave him only 5% of their votes should not expect the same benefits as those who gave him 95%, although he added that by the constitution, no part of Nigeria can be left out in his administration.
In the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections, Buhari picked his running mates from the south-east.
We don’t know which criteria you used to grade your people as the best in Nigeria. One can not be a judge of his own case,let an other people judge by the standard yardstick, and believe me your people may be trailing behind and probably the last.
Trailing behind and probably the last? Come on myndearvoerson, this is the trouble with Nigeria. Barefaced lies and sheer hypocrisy. While I am not comfortable with Exeifes baiting, I understand the underlying angst. You cannot leave the locomotive at the station and expect the train to move. No doubt, the Igbo are irreplaceable , if Nigeria will make any progress . Even you must know that. If they are the last, according to you, who then is better than them? The Boko Harm North or the “wise” Yorubas. Ezeife made his comment, because other Nigerians will never give credit to the Igbo. Never!! Out of envy, period.
It’s not envy, it is irritation.
People like you who constantly shout “they envy us” are synonymous with U.S. rappers who scream “player haters are beefing us”. It is uncouth.
I was genuinely appreciating your comment right up until the last line. Take a second to do some honest introspective reflection and the truth will come to you.
I will never generalise and taint all Igbos with the same brush. I am Yoruba, my best friend, my best man, my son’s godfather and my wife are all igbo… and the characteristic which they share which endears me to them all is hardwork, humour and HUMILITY.
You belittle and undermine the brilliant inherent attributes of your clan with a lack of humility. Nobody envies anybody in this country… but we have a general feeling of disgust towards those who stand in others lands and preach about their prowess before they are lauded by their hosts.
There are Igbo people in this country who have a genuine loathing for everything not igbo: the yorubas feel they are too smart and are arrogant for nothing; the northerners are illiterate cattle rearers; the south south are our junior brothers… must it always be conflict?
Yoruba and hausa have lived side by side in Kwara for centuries. The socioeconomic and other realities are clear for all to see which tribe thrives and which struggles in the same state. But instead of standing on the others shoulders and shouting “we are better than you, you envy us” there is integration and love, because there is absolutely no honour in pomposity.
The hardwork some igbo people subscribe to appreciated. The dedication towards entrepreneurship is commendable. The bragging is irritating. There is no envy, just irritation. Nobody likes the loudmouth at the party. Each and every single tribe has a hell of a lot to brag about – some even more. The advice is to carry out some introspective analysis cos there is no point in living in your own little world and deciding the reason you are not on the same page with everybody else is because everybody else is wrong.
Rudy, I give you triple A for your very measured, constructive and altogether wise response.
Chijioke
Thanks for your response. It’s nice to know that you are completely surrounded by very HUMBLE Igbos even though you are a Yoruba man. The irritation from other Nigerians has always been there since the beginning of Nigeria, just like with the Jews in Europe. It is a natural phenomenon , so is the reaction from the victim group, the accusation of envy. As long as it does not lead to genocide like in 1966 till today, we can manage this irritation.
whos’ got loud mouth more than the yoruba’s? smh i pity you dude because it seems your high on weed. the wife you ar talking about, did you pay her bride price? i doubt
I concur
@ Rudy, you made some good point but missed the point. Can you tell me the reason why Yoruba and Hausa-fulani joined together to kill millions of Igbo before and during the war if not for Igbos achievement? Igbos were able to excel under British rule because a typical white man will pick the best for any position. I think Ezeife is 100% right and we have to be sincere with ourselves..
Rudy, Thanks for your advice but there is one thing I think you should know. you made a big mistake by saying “someone standing in someone land” Igbos don’t want to stand on anybodies land. Igbos want peace and love. Late Zik took over from white colonies and pass it on when the time was right and he didn’t give it to his fellow Igbo man because of the love and peace that Igbo,s stand for. Igbo’s are in Lagos because of yoruba selfish attitude. Yoruba man share igbo’s wealth among themselves after the war, because of their wickedness and refused to established commercial access to Igboland. Nigerian government refused to build roads and seaport in Igboland because they know Igbos will go home and better themselves if the opportunity present itself. if not igbos have enough land to accommodate themselves in Igboland. so think about or research it.
LISTEN TO GOWON. Nigeria cannot live without Igbos at their best and make much progress.
STOP the HATE and JEALOUSY.
Buhari cannot fill his cabinet more than 4 months after inauguration BECAUSE he is looking for his own kith and kin and as a last resort, he would chose the VULTURE Tribe, Yoruba.
GOWN went to War to bring Igbos back into Nigeria for more reasons than you can come up with.
YPU WANT ONE NIGERIA, GIVE EVERYONE EQUAL CHANCES of contributing.
No American Arms for the BEGGAR NATION that enjoys keeping down it’s brightest citizens.
Ezeife is right he did not emphasises that Igbos were superior creatures than other rather he made his comments by looking on the appointments made so far by buhari’s administration. One problem we nigerians have we never call a spade a spade.But let me asure you any administration in this country thats neglect Igbos will regret it action on midway.
hnora, One thing I know for sure is that good things are envied universally. the envious will always seek to discredit and spoil or try to soil what is clean. when yorubas say they’re ahead educationally, no one tend to contest it or tell them that they’re judges of their own matter,even when nothing shows for it to buttress their claim, yet everyone keeps mute. Now a truth has been said about Igbos, everyone develops some goose pimples. Well you may wish to recall the challenges Igbos had during the civil war and did you hear of the second to none improvisation? Internationally they are in high demand because you and your likes have refused to create an enabling environment here in Nigeria and what need I say more? Stop the envy and grow up.
You’ve presented your best under GEJ and we all saw what they brought, as shown in what that government represented and the results it achieved. Best indeed!
Brilliant response.
Well said, Enenoma
This is the problem with an average Igbo person.I’m greatly disappointed and troubled when a highly respected personality and a very,very citizen of this country in the category of elder statesman,Chief Ezeife will refer to Igbo people as the best in the country.What criteria and indices did he use to arrive at that conclusion?Chief Ezeife was once a Federal permanent secretary,the highest office that one rise to in the Federal civil service,a former Governor of a state and several other appointments.So,hitherto,he has this notion of Igbo man superiority in Nigeria?this is disturbing.Then,why blaming Nnamidi Kanu,the Director of Biafra radio?well,i’ll not take up Chief Ezeife on this comment,but one thing i know is that even if Igbo people succeed in their agitation for a Biafra country today,they cannot be better than the rest of Nigeria.
Igbos known how to deceive themselves, imagine an elderly man who supposed to tell his people the reality, ninety percent of successful Ibo man were outside Ibo land, including Ezeife, thirty percent at home seventy percent outside, envy comon traders, and parasites.?I doubt.
Little mind
Listen, Dis Is Nothing But A Statement Comin Up Frm A Bitterd Heart. This Kind Of Statement Is Not Expected Frm An Elder Stateman, Becus It Wil Produce Nofyn Bt Strife N Hatred Among Us Which Wil Bring Disunity Among Nigerians. Under What Criteria Are U Placing The Igbos As The Best, N Who Made Them? We All Are Unike In Diffrent Ways N Nid One Another. Thanks
Aus-B, pray, what type of keyboard is fitted on your PC?
This is the mentality that is the genesis of the mess the country is in now. Nigeria was not perfect but the Ibo coup (the first coup) was unashamedly an attempt by the Ibos to rule Nigeria. Instead of punishing the architects of the first coup, Ironsi, an Ibo not only did not punish them but promoted these Ibo officers.
Ironsi then followed this folly by firing Rotimi Williams who was to lead in the drafting of a new constitution for the country and replaced Chief William’s group with ten individuals, all of them Ibos.
That group gave us the constitution that weakened the states and make the center (federal) stronger. A fear that Ibos plan to rule the country for ever and was the actual cause of the second coup during which Ibos were killed.
Ibos can be found everywhere, especially in hiring because of nepotism. Ibos tend to hire other Ibos and neglect individuals who are non Ibos.
The late Chief Akintola, when he saw the way Ibos in the NCNC dominated Ministerial appointment in alliance of North and South. Aside from Chief TOS Benson, who was made Minister of Information, all the other slots given to the NCNC went to Ibos.
Akintola coined the phrase “Ikini ani, ikeji ani Iketa ani” on Chief Ikejiani’s name.
I reside in Phoenix, Arizona. Each year a delegate comes into town to process applications for Nigerian passports. These officials are Ibos and Ibos are the ones who could get appointments and were attended to be mostly Ibos.
Since Awolowo, Yoruba had been in the opposition and we functioned well. Ibos had never been part of any opposition in post 1960 governments.
This time, Ibos gambled and put their eggs in Good Luck basket and failed. Instead on standing on principle, start to cry marginalization and being the best.
Ibos demanded that Good Luck directed that an Ibo must be made deputy governor of Lagos State. Lagos state, the only state in the Union with a non Yoruba, an Ibo, sitting on its cabinet.
It was an Ibo governor who first fired all non Ibos from government jobs in his state. Ibos are very quiet on this fact but jumped on Governor Fashola.
Lastly if the Ibo deputy senate leader should keep post in the APC government, Ibos can kiss being president of Nigeria for decades. Ibos should consider the position that the Yoruba has been taking, a principled one and stay as loyal opposition.
Ibos, be principled, for once and stay as loyal opposition
This people single-handed deceived Jonathan, instigated Jonathan against Obasanjo. hoping they will rescue him, the rest is an history.
And now Nigeria is a paradise on earth.
No wonder you are living in Phoenix Arizona, as an illegal alien. You are so pathetic with your knowledge of Nigerian history. Please regularise your status so that you can come back and see the reality of present day Nigeria.
God bless you for this post!! You nailed it
sir ezeife you have sporken well for yoruba or hausa if igbo’s are not the best why don’t you people allow us to have our international airport and seaport or on that hands give us our republic. Nigeria is no longer a baby, as for me i don’t hate any one be you hausa or yoruba we are human being but i will like to advice some comenters that they should stop that orientation given to them by thier elders we are the new generation.
Moniboss Omaliko ·
At his old age, President Mohammadu Buhari should not be expected to change from his hatred for the Igbos. Throughout his past tenures in different public offices, he did nothing for the Igbos. As Director of DFRRI he sited thousands of projects worth billions of Naira in different parts of Nigeria except the South Eat. The consolation is that despite the wickedness of people like Obasanjo and Buhari against them, the Igbos still prosper and relate with other Nigerians.on equal terms. With their very high achievement motivation, the Igbos do not need to grovel for appointments that they are constitutionally entitled to. The Igbos survived Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari and will triumph over Muhammadu Buhari again. All they need to excel is peace in the country. Let Mohammadu Buhari dismantle Boko Haram terrorist organisation since he is now the President of Nigeria.
Buhari was never a Director of DFRRI. If you have to tellalie,at least tell one that is believable.
·
At his old age, President Mohammadu Buhari should not be expected to change from his hatred for the Igbos. Throughout his past tenures in different public offices, he did nothing for the Igbos. As Director of DFRRI he sited thousands of projects worth billions of Naira in different parts of Nigeria except the South Eat. The consolation is that despite the wickedness of people like Obasanjo and Buhari against them, the Igbos still prosper and relate with other Nigerians.on equal terms. With their very high achievement motivation, the Igbos do not need to grovel for appointments that they are constitutionally entitled to. The Igbos survived Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari and will triumph over Muhammadu Buhari again. All they need to excel is peace in the country. Let Mohammadu Buhari dismantle Boko Haram terrorist organisation since he is now the President of Nigeria.
we still uphold the fact as said by Ezeife that Federal character is not in play. kachikwu is not from the South east meanwhile we are not represented not minding our ingenuity and expertise
The story of the day if u are not begging or seeking for Buharis attention keep quiet n mind yr business. Igbo or no Igbo nigeria will progress they thought they can change nigeria with their significant number n bring jona into power.wrongs assumption n with what certificate or dat spare parts dealer certificate that can bring jona.
This fellow has been deceiving us for a long time. Enough.we don’t have a king or leader.Speak for ur family.
Ezeife is not saying it so that other tribes will accept it but that is the truth and there is noting any one can do to change it.The rest of Nigerians can only envy igbos but will never surpass.
If Nigerian potential were to be measured, the Yorubas are the resistance, R.
If the Current to drive the heart beat of the country were to be measure, Igbos would be the ubiquitous current.
The question is, current cannot be generated without the potential voltage and the resistance.
So the only outsider to this theory is the Hausa who are more like the intrinsic material properties that is used to make the circuitry.
So we must work in homogeneity to make the volts count.
Kachikwu is an Igbo from Delta state
LOL
WHAT DOES Kachiukwu say about his heritage?
Nigeria is DOOMED.
Obama asked me to tell you, No weapons for a BEGGAR state
“On merit, we have the best people in Nigeria and that is not boasting. On motivation, it is the same thing”.
You forget to mention that “On Social Vices like Kidnapping, 419, Looting Federal treasury, Baby Factory, Rape, Drug Smuggling etc”.
I know you are best at that more than what you mention.
Ethnocentrism and tribal jingoist do not have a place in our society. An old man with superiority complex is nothing but a man hallucinating in his own fantasy land.
On what ground would an old man like this assert that “his people” are the best?