BY Okey Maduforo
Successive administrations in the country have come under intense
attack following the neglect and unfair treatment to the first
republic Minister for Aviation, Chief Mbazurike Amaechi.
This is coming barely two weeks after a National honour was post
humously bestowed on the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993
Presidential election in the country, late Chief Mko Abiola.
Amaechi who is about the only surviving member of Zikist movement and first
republic politician, recently celebrated his 89th birthday at
Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State which
attracted dignitaries across the country.
Expressing this unfair treatment, the representative of former
President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Bolaji Osinowo noted that a man in
the status of Amaechi should be celebrated giving his contributions to
the socio-political and economic emancipation of Nigeria.
“I feel that I am in the presence of a living legend. He was a member
of the first cabinet in Nigeria and the first team that piloted the
affairs of this country”.
“My duty today is to deliver the message of my boss, former President
Olusegun Obasanjo. He had earlier told me to accompany him to Ukpor
for this event before he had an urgent meeting in Angola.
“He calls you his friend and say you are his senior and with what is
happening in the country today leaders like Chief Mabazurike Amaechi
who paid with their lives on the line for Nigeria is receiving an unfair
treatment.
“About ninety-three percent of Nigerians are not happy with what is
going on in this country and in most communities today, people cannot
sleep with their two eyes closed for fear of night marauders.
“I urge us all to join and be part of this alliance against this
present government so that we can enthrone a view president for this
country.”
Also sharing similar views was the former Deputy Speaker of the Federal
House of Representatives and gubernatorial aspirant of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.
Ihedioha contended: “The story of Mbazulike Amaechi is a story of accomplishment and that of a pace setter and we are proud of you sir. It is expected that such
legends and elder states men should be remembered but the manner they
are being threatened is quite unfair and this does not speak well of
our country.
“When you turn ninety next year, then the PDP would be
in-charge of affairs in ASO-Rock we shall play the chief Host.
National Chairman of the (ADC) African Democratic Congress Chief Ralph
Okey Nwosu noted that the brand leadership in Nigeria has not helped
matters adding that the struggles of the countries Heroes past have
not been appreciated, indicating an unfair treatment on elder states
men like Amaechi.”
Also, National Chairman of PDP, Chief Uche Secondus noted that the party
is poised towards directing the country for a greater tomorrow, adding
that personalities such as Amaechi should join the new alliance and
coalition in the country and play the fatherly role.
In his address at the occasion, the President General of Ukpor
improvement union (UIU), Chief Emma Nwachukwu said that the community
chose to celebrate their kinsman while alive, adding that the
traditional practices of celebrating great men when they are dead is
most unfortunate.
Chief Amaechi while expressing his happiness at the occasion
presented his son, Ikenna Mbazurike Amaechi a senatorial Aspirant
of the AII Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra South Zone,
insisting that the greatest birthday gift for him is for his son to be
elected as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ikenna lamented that “Honour and recognition bestowed
on non performing people by those who went to jail for the
growth of the country are forgotten and abandoned to their fate”
Amaechi Jr noted that if not for the position of his town Union to
celebrate his father, “that even the present leadership in the country
do not know a great man of this status is still alive,” adding that “it
is the height of unfair treatment on my father.”
