Igbo did not affect the merger of Nigeria, writes Orji Uzor Kalu.
Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia state and a deputy representing Northern Abia in the Senate, said in his autobiography that Igbo have no say in the merger of Nigeria.
The former governor of Abiya State, who revealed this in his recently published autobiography, My Life, traced the “plight of the Igbo” to the early 19th century, when the British first explored Lower Niger. …
Orji Usor, who has argued that Igbo have no say in whether or not they want to be part of such a device, said he enjoyed a short ray of sunshine in Nigeria ten years before and several years after independence. …
He said in the book;
“In January 1914, Lord Fredrik Lugard completed the merger of the northern and southern protectorates into colonial Nigeria and became its first governor-general.
“The Igbo had no say in whether they wanted to be part of such a device or not. However, the clouds did not rise for long, and the Igbo enjoyed a brief sun in Nigeria ten years before and several years after independence.
“Embracing Christianity and Western education with enthusiasm, they quickly assumed a dominant position in the federal government, the military, academia, commerce and industry.
“The Jews of West Africa marched, toiled, sweated and swayed upward, with the envy and hatred of their fellow countrymen.”
Senate Chief Knut also said he chose to honor Igbo with money during Olusegun Obasanjo’s rule, which he said put “strong pressure” on the country’s unity in an alleged lack of democratic character.
– added Orji Pattern;
“I am not involved in politics because I want to make money. If that were the case, I would have stayed with President (Olusegun) Obasanjo while he was in power, because he controlled all the money.
“But I needed honor for my people. He refused to honor and respect my people; failed to give them a sense of belonging. He continued as if he was still at war with the Igbo nation, so we disagreed. “
