The federal government should champion justice, equity and fairness across all ethnic groups in Nigeria as a way of immortalising the first civilian Governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who was buried today.
The former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, gave the advice while reminiscing about the life and time of Dr Onu.
He recalled the sacrifices Dr Onu made ahead of the emergence of APC, noting that lack of justice in Nigeria’s polity led to Ogbonnaya Onu not emerging the presidential candidate of APC ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He said, “There was an agreement between the ANPP which the late Onu headed; President Tinubu’s ACN and the CPC of former President Muhammadu Buhari. It was an agreement and not a merger.
“If APC had zoned its presidential candidate to South East in 2023, Dr Onu would have become the party’s standard-bearer.
“Even when Buhari was elected president, Onu was projected to become the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The same way, injustice came up.
“He contested APC primaries, which Tinubu won. But his speech during the election was based on ensuring justice, not just for Ndigbo, but for the entire country.
“I think the only way to immortalise him is to adhere to what he preached.”
Similarly, former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Enugu State, Dr Fidelis Ede, said Dr Onu ought to be the rallying point of the Igbo politics, and regretted lack of political cohesion among the Igbo.
Quoting him, “Ndigbo are a tribe without political cohesion. Ndigbo have no culture of allowing those who play significant roles for the Igbo race and beyond to be honoured.
“Following the emergence of APC at the centre, Ogbonnaya Onu ought to be the Igbo bargaining leader, but he was not allowed.
“Our problem is that even when opportunities come, we lack cohesion. We don’t stand by our heroes.”
He commended the government of Abia State for renaming its state polytechnic after Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
NewsNGR reports that Dr Onu’s Uburu zone was carved into Ebonyi State from Abia State during the creation of Ebonyi.