Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State
By Christopher Isiguzo
The Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), an umbrella body for youths in the South-east geo-political zone of the country, yesterday took a swipe at Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State over a statement credited to him to the effect that Igbos do not deserve an additional state this period.
The youth group in a statement by its President, Elliot Uko, noted that the statement was not only disturbing but “horrible” having come from a highly placed public officer as governor in the country.
While demanding an unreserved apology from the governor, the IYM noted that making such statement at this critical point when the nation is faced with myriads of challenges threatening its corporate existence was completely antithetical to the unity of the country.
“The Igbo Youth Movement and well-meaning Nigerians read with dismay the shocking vituperations of Kwankwaso to the effect that the South-east does not deserve an additional state. It is very disturbing, that such a horrible comment could come from a governor.
“Such jaundiced comments, though quite unfortunate, serves as a confirmation that the same section of Nigeria whose military wing muddled up Nigeria and foisted an unkind structure on the country, are not only unrepentant and unapologetic, but are surprisingly committed to the disintegration of Nigeria as their refusal to correct the deliberate imbalance would lead to an early end of the Nigerian experiment,” the group noted.
While seeking for an apology to Ndigbo from the governor without delay, the group stated that the people of the South-east zone do not need anybody to tell them “who our enemies are from Kwankwaso’s stance. Even the military who imposed this unjust and unfair states and local government structures know that it cannot endure.”
According to the group, “Kwankwaso and his ilk only make it impossible for Ndigbo to vote any Northerner as President as, no sane man will vote for his enemy. Kwankwaso lives in a world of his own as Nigerians are unanimous that Ndigbo needs two additional states for the sake of justice and equity.”