There were indications yesterday that efforts made by some Igbo leaders to draft Second Republic Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze to lead delegates from the South East geo-political zone to the forthcoming National Conference are yet to yield positive results.
The two respected Igbo leaders are said to be under intense pressure in recent time to accept nominations as delegates to the conference.
While Nwabueze who leads the Concerned Igbo Leaders of Thought made up of respected Igbo leaders including high ranking politicians, religious leaders, private sector operators as well as traditional rulers has been actively involved in drawing up an Igbo position for the conference, Ekwueme on his part is said to be involved at the advisory level.
Deputy Secretary of Igbo Leaders of Thought and founder of the Igbo Youth Movement, Elliot Uko confirmed that the two leaders had been under pressure from across the country to be part of the conference.
He said they still remain unyielding for now.
Uko, who spoke to journalists, disclosed that the former Vice President is due for overseas trip before the end of the month and would stay for more than two months before returning, adding: “You can now see that he is not going to be around for the conference.”
On Nwabueze’s part, Uko said what was uppermost in his mind was for Igbos to have a position paper which would be defended by whoever that eventually made it to the conference from the zone and not about who becomes delegate to the conference.
“Today, everybody is interested in becoming a delegate, not concerned about what should be the Igbo position. People are not concerned about the pitiable condition of our people,” he said, adding, however, that the leaders of thought have drawn up a position paper which would be canvassed at the conference.
Source: Daily Newswatch
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