By Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko
First January 2023, and I am forced to break my self-imposed silence over the impasse in the land after reading in the media a reference to the August 30th 2017, peace meeting between Nnamdi Kanu and the South East Governors.
Kanu’s family, represented by his younger brother Emmanuel Kanu, as published by the Vanguard Newspaper today, asked certain questions, including the surprising silence of leaders and stakeholders in the land, over the outcome of the 2017 meeting.
I think it is auspicious to say something about the August 30th 2017, peace meeting in Enugu since I facilitated the meeting by the grace of God. And since peace has remained elusive to date.
Dr Alex Ekwueme takes the credit for that noble effort five years ago, which gladly remains the only historical instance where Nnamdi ever agreed to shift his position from demanding outright secession to agreeing to the restructuring of Nigeria and quieting the agitation for twelve months on the condition that the country takes the restructuring of the country very seriously.
The former Vice President impressed upon Nnamdi the need to shift his position to restructuring and level the playing field for every section of the country. Others who mounted pressure on Nnamdi to yield to restructuring included Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Dr Dozie Ikedife, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwor, and Prof Ben Nwabueze amongst others.
Twenty-four hours before the Enugu meeting, Nnamdi finally capitulated to the pressure from these elders and agreed to shift his demands to the restructuring of the country, but insisted that he would only mute the agitation for only twelve months to see if the authorities would seriously kick start the process to restructure the country and that he would go back to the trenches if nothing is done towards the genuine and sincere reconstruction of the polity along the lines of true federalism and power devolution. He also insisted the country reverts to the 1963 constitution.
These were his demands and position at the August 30th 2017, meeting.
It is instructive to note that at the meeting, Governor Dave Umahi told Nnamdi that the people of his state aren’t exactly excited about returning to the old Eastern region. Governor Ugwuanyi also maintained that the Enugu people are unwilling to revert to a situation that would cost them their state but promised to present his demands to Abuja.
The meeting ended on a good note, with Nnamdi promising to attend the follow-up meeting scheduled in a fortnight with his team according to the consensual agreement of all.
Finally, Nnamdi also agreed that his demands weren’t absolute, meaning that his position was amenable to change as the dialogue progressed.
These were the contents of the August 30th 2017, meeting between Nnamdi and the South East Governors, which I had the privilege to facilitate.
I opened up after many years of silence because peace, resolution and closure can be achieved. Therefore, I pray Nnamdi will have the godly spirit and sound mind to remain in his position delivered at the peace meeting with the South East Governors five years ago.
I, at this moment, publicly call on Emma Kanu to plead with his brother that the August 30th 2017, position will lead faster to peace and resolution than any other position. I am breaking my silence on this new year’s day because facts have proven that the situation only worsened within the past five years.
Whatever inspired the decision to attack Nnamdi’s residence on the eve of the scheduled follow-up meeting a fortnight away, on 14th September 2017, hasn’t resolved the situation, ended the agitation, nor brought peace to the land. On the contrary, things have only gotten worse since then.
The quite avoidable and senseless violence eating up the land today is heart-rending.
The paralysis of economic life in the region every Monday for a year and a half now is pathetic. Those who refused to dialogue with the agitators since 1999 should kindly have a change of heart so the region can have peace. My appeal is for all sides to look again at the 30th 2017 meeting agreement in pursuit of peace, resolution and closure.
Peace and harmony should be the priority now.
Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko
Founder: Igbo Youth Movement IYM
Secretary: Eastern Consultative Assembly ECA
Deputy Secretary: Igbo Leaders of Thought ILT
