From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Two prominent socio-political groups in the South East, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) and the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) have expressed condolences over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari while also reflecting on his relationship with the Igbo people.
Chief Abia Onyike, secretary general of the ADF, said the news of Buhari’s death came as a shock but maintained that his administration left a bitter taste in the mouth of many in the South East.
“Like the death of all mortals, his death is painful and regrettable,” Onyike said.
However, he did not mince words in evaluating Buhari’s treatment of the Igbo nation during his time in power.
“His relationship with the Igbo nation was very negative. Buhari was one of the Northern hardliners whose hatred for Ndigbo was very unnecessary. As a civilian president elected in 2015, his anti-Igbo position became acidic,” Onyike stated.
According to him, this posture contributed to a resurgence in the self-determination movement among Igbo youths.
“His extremist anti-Igbo posturing led the Igbo youths to embark on a renewed agitation for Igbo self-determination struggle.
“He was perceived as a leader who used the state apparatus to shield his Fulani brothers who declared war against other ethnic nationalities with Fulani herdsmen and the violence associated with their impunity,” he said.
Onyike further noted that “by the time he left office in 2023, his reputation degenerated terribly as he was perceived as a Fulani irredentist and separatist.”
Despite their strong disapproval of Buhari’s governance style, Onyike emphasized that the Igbo people bear no grudges.
“The Igbo Nation has no time to keep malice against anybody. Our struggle for self-determination in the Nigerian federation is a legitimate democratic struggle,” he said.
In a similar vein, COSEYL while calling for sober reflection on the former president’s time in office, said that the former president contributed to the hardship currently being faced by Nigerians.
President General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, criticised the Buhari administration for what he described as its exclusionary policies and failure to carry the South East along.
“Many Nigerians will remember his administration for its struggles in economic management, which contributed to widespread hardship and disillusionment among the populace.”
He pointed out that “our region was particularly marginalised during his presidency. The lack of representation from the South East in key federal appointments, including the service chiefs, stands as a testament to the exclusionary practices that characterized his administration.”
Ibem urged future leaders to learn from the past and pursue inclusivity and justice, adding that COSEYL remains committed to advocating for the rights and representation of the South East in all spheres of national life.
The post … ADF, COSEYL mourn, reflect on his legacy in Igboland appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
