01/21/2003
opinion Attempts were made during last year"s World Igbo Congress convention in Houston, Texas, to prevent Massob leader Ralph Uwazurike from mounting the podium. Perhaps, those who would silence him feared that the man was liable to say anything. Of course, it is only in an Igbo setting, a setting of "republicans", that a full-blooded Igbo would be denied a chance to air his views, the kind of chance once given to Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Rimi by the WIC. Is it possible to conceive of a situation in which the Yoruba would deny Mr. Gani Adams, the OPC leader, the opportunity to articulate his point of view to his own people? Well, common sense prevailed in the long run and Chief Uwazurike first described Ndigbo as politically unserious before asking a question which no one could immediately answer. "You want the presidency in 2003", said Uwazurike. "What if the bid fails, what is your fallback position?"01/18/2003
interview What hopes do Igbos have with over four candidates from South east vying for the coveted seat? In every country there are several political parties and there are major parties. The PDP and ANPP are the two major ones in Nigeria and the Igbos have lost out in these parties. So the parties in which they have found themselves are just miniature parties, yesterday parties. These parties are not relevant. For the four people coming up as presidential candidates of the parties is of no consequence. It does not mean anything it shows the extent of their desperation. they have been excluded in the scheme of things I told them earlier on that they won't get the presidency of Nigeria. I think my prediction has come to pass. They know that they can't be president. They are just scheming for positions.
