The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekwueme

  • Ekwueme didn’t reprimand me, says Obi

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has urged Nigerians to avoid peddling falsehood because they are injurious to individuals, institutions and the society.

    Obi gave the advice in Lagos when he addressed reporters.

    The former governor said criticisms should be constructive to be rational.

    Obi was reacting to the allegation that he urged the Igbo to ignore Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The former governor’s alleged comment allegedly irked former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, who accused him of anti-Igbo moves.

    The encounter was said to have happened at a reception organised by Eke indigenes at Nike Lake Hotel in Enugu for their sons – the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Godfrey Onyema and the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu.

    Clarifying issues, Obi said Dr Ekwueme, being a highly-respected elder statesman and a father, could offer advice or rebuke him, if need be.

    But the former governor regretted that neither him nor Ekwueme spoke at the event let alone address the media.

    Wondering where and when Dr Ekwueme allegedly rebuked him, Obi recalled their interaction at Nike Lake Hotel, saying: “As soon as I entered the venue, I went to greet Dr. Ekwueme. At the end of the event, I saw him and his wife to their car before they left.”

    The former governor regretted the alleged altercation between him and Dr Ekwueme.

    He noted that though the “misinformation” was not unusual, “this one is painful because it is disrespectful and abomination in Igbo land to ridicule such an eminent elder for cloudy political reasons. In retirement after serving his country and society, we should accord him respect and seek his wisdom and counsel to improve our lives and help to move Nigeria forward, rather than subject him to opprobrium”.

  • Ekwueme, Anyaoku rally Anambra community

    Ekwueme, Anyaoku rally Anambra community

    Obosi, hometown of former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku, came alive as the veteran diplomat, and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme led other dignitaries to honour former Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal Osita Chidota’s grandmother, the late Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    The sheer number of dignitaries was enough statement: it was not just another day in Obosi, Anambra State. Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme was there, as was son of the soil, veteran diplomat and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku. So also were Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, traditional rulers and priests.

    They were in town to honour Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka, grandmother of former Corps Marshal of the FRSC Mr. Osita Chidoka.

    Some 91 years ago, Madam Chidoka wedded at the Saint Andrew’s Church, Obosi, and went on to deliver and nurture other Chidokas, one of whom would become the FRSC chief as well as a federal minister. In her memory and to honour the church to which they all stuck, Madam Chidoka’s grandchildren built a hall at Saint Andrew’s.

    There was more to the occasion. The celebrities used it to rally Obosi residents, urging them to give back to their community. Anyaoku made that point clear.

    Obosi is in Idemili North local government of Anambra State.

    It was an event that stood out in the community. It coincided with the closing ceremony of the Anglican synod that took place at the church premises.

    For Osita Chidoka, it was a monument to the memory of their matriarch and more importantly, as a generational reminder of their incalculable debt to their Anglican roots planted and nurtured by Juliana Chidoka.

    “Mama wedded in this church founded in 1882 in 1925 and gave birth to my father in 1926,” he said. “My father’s joy knows no bounds as he turns 90 years in November.”

    The traditional ruler of the kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka was not short of appreciation for the Chidoka family for donating a storey building hall to the church in Obosi.

    The monarch said the family had made the people of Obosi proud by remembering the matriarch of the family 91 years after.

    Also, another son of Obosi, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was all smiles on the day, told The Nation that it was important to always give back to the society.

    He said he equally built a school opposite the church for the community, describing the action of the Chidokas as a wonderful gesture to the church and community.

    The gesture, according to the former commonwealth secretary general, brought important people from all walks of life to the community.

    Again, he said it was good because it coincided with the Anglican synod hosted at St. Andrews in the community, adding that the community had written its name in gold.

    One of the women in the community, Agnes Ibesi told The Nation that the philanthropy of the Chidoka family was unrivaled in Obosi, adding that the former minister also built homes for the less privileged in the area.

    “We are not going to forget the family in a hurry because they have helped and lifted some down trodden individuals in the society”

    The speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Dogara was represented by the member, representing Ideato North and south federal constituency in Imo state, Hon. Austine Chukwukere, who praised the Chidokas’ for the gigantic building for the church.

    He said the family led by example, while calling on others to emulate them.

    The synod and the dedication of the church hall were equally attended by the former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, among others.

     

  • Ekwueme, Obi, Ezeife to Buhari: restructure Nigeria

    Ekwueme, Obi, Ezeife to Buhari: restructure Nigeria

    Restructuring of Nigeria dominated yesterday speeches of eminent citizens at the 17th convention of the Igbo Youths Movement (IYM) in Enugu.

    All the speakers, including former Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme, former governor of old Anambra State Chukwuemeka Ezeife and a former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to embark on restructuring of Nigeria in line with the principles of true federalism.

    Also at the occasion were former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana; former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, renowned author Arthur Nwankwo and Niger Delta activist and protagonist of resource control, Ms Annkio Briggs.

    Speaker after speaker advised Buhari to implement the National Conference report of 2014 as a first step towards restructuring Nigeria.

    The leaders, who spoke on the theme of the convention, “Still in search of true federalism”, noted that the current protests and demand for separation by various groups as well as other socio-economic crises could be reduced by half if the national confab’s report was implemented.

    In Ekwueme’s view every disappointment is a blessing. His incarceration in 1984 at Kirikiri prison by the military afforded him the opportunity to reflect deeply on Nigeria’s problems, he said.

    According to him, he came out with the idea of six geo-political zonal structure, which he pushed for at a national conference much later and it became a convention, and has taken care of minorities in the South and the North.

    Ekwueme stated that what Nigeria negotiated for and agreed with the colonial masters before independence was a regional government where each has a constitution, annexed to the Republican constitution of 1963.

    According to him, the Republican Constitution then provided 50 per cent revenue sharing formula for the regions, 30 per cent to a distributable pool, and 20 per cent for the centre.

    “There is need for us to return to the basics from what we inherited from our founding fathers,” he said.

    Adebanjo, who traced the origin of federalism in Nigeria to various pre-and post colonial constitutional conferences, insisted that Nigeria must be restructured to correct the humongous damage done to the nation’s constitution by the military and to stop various acts of uprising, including those of Niger Delta Avengers, MASSOB and IPOB.

    Gana said the nation’s founding fathers were right by agreeing to a federal structure, which he described as the best for peace, equity and justice.

    The guest speaker and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, said that the key solution to Nigeria’s problem was through true federalism and devolution of powers to states.

    “True fiscal federalism is the only form of association that will allow peace and stability in the country and each region should be allowed to manage its resources the way they want it,” Gana said.

    He noted that the formula for allocating revenue made the Federal Government to get richer while the states operated like beggars.

    “States should be allowed to manage its resources to enable them govern their people the way they want and allocate some percentage to the Federal Government.

    “Government should not be far from the people and the federating unit should be made strong to meet the needs of the people,” he said.

    Gana recommended continuous dialogue and the implementation of the resolutions of national confab by the government as the only means the recent agitation and other national demand could be handled.

    Briggs, who received the award of “Amazon of Truth” by IYM, said true and fiscal federalism must be truthful and justifiable. She believed in resource control, she said, adding  that as much as she does not think that Nigeria must break, she believes that if the nation continues on the current path, disintegration would be inevitable.

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi supported restructuring of the country on the basis of fiscal federalism, but he warned while that was being addressed, there was need to urgently address the high cost of governance. Any governor who says he can’t pay workers’ salaries, Obi said,  should give way for other persons with better ideas.

    Ezeife who also received award of “Igbo Peoples General” stated that the 2014 national conference report recommended additional 18 states to make for a 48 state-structure to address some inequalities created by the military.

  • Ekwueme, Clark, Gbonigi, other southern leaders reject proposed Grazing Bill

    Ekwueme, Clark, Gbonigi, other southern leaders reject proposed Grazing Bill

    Nouthern Nigeria leaders, under the aegis of Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly (SNPA), have condemned the rumoured existence of a bill in the National Assembly seeking the establishment of grazing reserves across Nigeria.

    They described the move as anachronistic and antiquated, adding that private commercial ventures should not be elevated into national or government business.

    The statement, which was read by the Coordinating Secretary of SNPA, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, in Asaba, the Delta State capital, deplored the rampaging attack, raping and killing of innocent Nigerians, especially the recent killings in Enugu, Benue and other states by the notorious Fulani herdsmen.

    Among the people at the three-day meeting were former Vice President Alex Ekwueme (represented by former Anambra State governor, Chukuwuemeka Ezeife; Ijaw National Leader Chief Edwin Clark, represented by Senator Roland Owie and Senator Femi Okorounmu, who  stood in for Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi.

    Ekwueme represented the South East while Clark and Gbonigi represented the South-South and the South West respectively.

    They said that the grazing bill portends danger to the nation as it will institute a source of permanent conflict in the land, especially the federal structure of the country and the 1999 Constitution, which vested the power to hold land in the 36 states of the country and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The leaders said: “The President should deal decisively with the issue of Fulani herdsmen in the manner government is dealing with the insurgency problem, that if unchecked, has the capacity to snowball to another Boko Haram.

    “Consequently, he should set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate all Fulani herdsmen attacks between May 2015 till date and all those found to be directly or remotely involved in those attacks should be arrested and brought to book.”

    The leaders observed that the inability of President Buhari to begin the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference was objectionable, as the resolutions, if implemented, may help in resolving many political, socio-economic and security challenges of the country.

    While calling on Nigerians to support Buhari in his anti-corruption drive, war on insurgency and his effort at reviving ailing industries, the Southern leaders urged the president to respect the rule of law, the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights and the pronouncements of the courts.

    They advised that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor selective as selective justice amounts to injustice, and the immediate release of all Nigerians which various courts have given bail and have subsequently met their bail conditions.

    Also, they advised the Northern Elders Forum to desist from infusing in the present administration the “we and they” mentality, which they say usually creates division and confusion in the polity.

    “The Northern Elders Forum should realise that President Muhammadu Buhari is the President of Nigeria and not the President of Northern Nigeria.

    “The government is therefore for the entire Nigeria, and programmes and projects should be for the overall development and growth of the country and not a section of it.”

    They urged government to look into the gaps that existed in the foreign exchange market and bridge it and to also find solutions to the lingering fuel supply gaps and the epileptic electricity supply in the country.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his Special Adviser of Labour, Mr. Mike Okeme, charged the assembly to use the platform to promote the unity of the country as development could only thrive in a peaceful and secured atmosphere.

    He said: “You are here to deliberate and proffer solutions to some of the national issues.

    “As you discuss, you should ensure that you represent the county in a positive light.

    “You should also use this platform to keep Nigeria united.”

  • ‘Ekwueme, Anyaoku, Nwabueze not IPOB commanders’

    ‘Ekwueme, Anyaoku, Nwabueze not IPOB commanders’

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that its preferring Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Emeka Anyaoku, Ben Nwabueze and others to negotiate on its behalf did not mean “these great Igbo elders are IPOB commanders”.

    A statement by the spokesmen Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya said the clarification was necessary because “some enemies of peace have deliberately and mischievously twisted our suggestion to mean that they are members of IPOB”.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that avowed  enemies of peace have mischievously twisted our suggestion that the visiting US congressional delegation meet with Anyaoku, Ekwueme, Nwabueze and others, to mean that these gentlemen have suddenly become IPOB members. This is not so, hence this clarification.

    “Three weeks ago, the US Consular General visited the Southeast on a fact-finding mission. Surprisingly, he met with the APC executives in Enugu State and predatory elements of moribund Ohanaeze Ndigbo, where road construction, second Niger Bridge, appointment for more Ndigbo into Buhari’s cabinet e.t.c, were presented to the delegation as reasons for our agitation.

    “Two days ago, another US delegation, led by a senior staff of the US embassy in Nigeria, met with Ohanaeze at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, over our agitation for freedom from the hostile prison called Nigeria.

    “Well-meaning and conscientious people expressed outrage and shock, wondering why these delegations are avoiding the most credible names from our political space.

    “World over, fact-finding teams usually seek out the most credible names in their search for the truth, not organisations like Ohanaeze, that are well known as political jobbers and government errand boys, whose sole agenda is how to establish a self-serving relationship with the present government as they always do and have done with previous governments.

    “IPOB maintains our position that these visiting delegation ought to endeavour to meet and speak with credible names like Anyaoku, Nwabueze, Ekwueme, and co. That does not mean they are IPOB commanders.

    “Convinced that over 90 per cent of our people are standing with IPOB today, we dare the Nigerian government to organise a referendum to ascertain the authenticity of our demand to freedom. Our assertion that these and future  delegations endeavour to meet with Ekwueme, Anyaoku and co, did not make them IPOB commanders. We also would wish them to meet with other credible opinion leaders from the clergy, traditional rulers, town union leaders, and even student union.

    “Discreetly arranging them to meet with Ohanaeze and scurry away the next day is suspicious, more importantly, hiding their visit from IPOB, whose agitation led to their visit in the first place is dubious.

    “This clarification became necessary because we learnt from these great men that some journalists are sending them emails asking them if it is true they have been appointed IPOB commander.”

  • IPOB picks Ekwueme, Anyaoku, Nwabueze to negotiate on its behalf

    IPOB picks Ekwueme, Anyaoku, Nwabueze to negotiate on its behalf

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has chosen Dr Arthur Nwankwo, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, Gen. Alex Maduebo (rtd), and some others to negotiate on its behalf.

    A statement by its spokesmen Emma Nmezi and Clifford Iroanya described the chosen elders as “credible and bold to speak the truth without being easily compromised”.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that some selfish individuals, who deliberately misconstrue our genuine intentions towards the restoration of Biafra, are parading themselves as custodians of our present agitation.

    “We have been reliably informed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has hijacked the proposed visit of US Congressmen to Biafraland, thereby positioning themselves as the mouthpiece of IPOB. This is a blatant lie; we have not mandated this group to represent us in any capacity.

    “That US Congressmen are in Biafraland today because of the hard work of IPOB. If anyone is concerned about the plight of Ndigbo, they should initiate an action plan to address them, not waiting for the blood of Biafrans to be shed so they can pontificate on the way forward.

    “We do not deal with washed out political contractors and compromised merchants of misery speaking for us. We value our reputation and warn that anybody dealing with any group that is not IPOB under the command of Nnamdi Kanu, our detained leader, is engaging in an exercise of futility.

    “Our focus now is to ensure our leader’s release before negotiations. We would view anyone discussing or attempting to cut a deal without the knowledge of IPOB’s leadership as an enemy of the people.

    “IPOB has chosen Dr Arthur Nwankwo, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, Gen. Alex Maduebo, Prof Ben Nwabueze, and Chief Emeka Anyoku as credible elders who will speak the truth without  compromise.”

  • Youths honour Ekwueme, Nwabueze, others

    Youths honour Ekwueme, Nwabueze, others

    Former Vice President in Second Republic, Dr. Alex Ekwueme was among leaders honoured by the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) in Enugu.

    Others were ministerial nominee Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. Ben Nwabueze and author and traditional ruler, Igwe Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike.

    The occasion was the 16th anniversary of the IYM, an event which Onu described as an assemblage of the best of the best in Igbo land.

    Actor and comedian Mr. John Okafor (Mr. Ibu) was also honoured.

    They were considered to have distinguished themselves in the service to the Igbo nation and the entire country.

    Another actor and comedian Chief Chika Okpala spice up the event with jokes.

    The major plank of the occasion was saving the Igbo language and culture from extinction. And a quiz competition was held among pupils from post primary schools in that regard. In all six pupils from various schools contested and the winner carted home the first prize of N50,000, while the first and second runner up went home with N30,000 and N20,000 respectively.

    Interesting aspect of the quiz was the failure of the pupils to give correct answers to the questions: “who was the vice president of Nigeria in 1979?” and “who was the first executive governor of Abia state?”  The personalities referred to by the questions were right there sitting before them and were introduced as such before the quiz.

    President of IYM, Evang. Elliot Uko told the gathering at the prestigious Nike Lake Resort that the idea of the quiz was to ensure that the Igbo Language and culture did not get extinguished. He lamented the situation where Igbo parents no longer speak Igbo language to their children and it was more pathetic to see Igbo children in Igboland that could not speak Igbo language. “Go to Ajegunle, you will see Igbo children whose parents are both Igbo but can only speak English and Yoruba,” Uko emphasized.

    Coming to the awards of honour, the IYM leader insisted that the group does not hounour money bags and those with questionable interest in the course of Ndigbo. It as well do not honour governors and other lip service politicians but honour those who are role models of Igboland.

    “It is for those leaders and distinguished men and women who showed and beamed the light for for others to follow”, said Uko.

    Ekwueme and Nwabueze were honored with the plague of “Visionary leaders for Sacrificial leadership to Fatherland” while Ogbonnaya Onu was honored with the plague of “Decency in Politics, Honourable and Perseverance”.

    Ekwueme in his response regretted that Igbo language and culture was gradually going into extinction. He pointedly stated that predator of Igbo language is English. “It is disheartening that each time an Igbo meets a fellow Igbo man, they exchange greetings and communicate in English language. We should try and make the Igbo language and culture things of pride”, he counseled.

    Ekwueme recalled that when he was sworn in as the vice president in 1979, he was adorning full Igbo attire.

    Nw abueze in his own response said Ndigbo should not allow the Igbo language get lost, particularly this generation. “Our generation is passing. We look up to those of you in their forties to take the baton from us. Leadership is not a joke. Let those of you in their forties and fifties brace up and take the mantle,” Nwabueze challenged.

    Ogbonnaya Onu said It is widely known that a people without history is like a car without petrol.” It is when a people know who they are and what they represent that they can better organize themselves in the pursuit of both individual achievement and collective fulfillment. It is with this that they can muster the necessary will to play an important role in a society’s development process.

    “Today, our society is faced with the danger that the Igbo language may not survive for long. It is sad that most of our children find it difficult to communicate in our native tongue. The attraction of foreign values has become almost an obsession that has weakened our self confidence and injured our self esteem. We give alien names to our children as if the saying; “tell me your name and I will tell you who you are”, is no longer true. We celebrate alien ways of life and denigrate our own indigenous practices. Festivals and observances which defined our beliefs and identity are no longer being observed as they should.

    He assured: “I wish to assure you all that the APC led Federal Government of President MohammaduBuhari will initiate visionary and sustained efforts to help Nigerians rediscover their rich past. In doing so, such efforts will be guided by the knowledge that cultural reawakening is an important tool in the economic, social and political development of our beloved country. It will also draw strength from the history of development efforts in other parts of the world which tailored their development processes to meet the peculiar cultural demands of their respective peoples. It will promote cultural renaissance as a conscious effort to build a new Nigerian civilization that will win respect for the nation in the global arena.”

     

  • 2016 Ekwueme Research Fellowship at United Nations University, Netherlands

    United Nations University is inviting applications for Ekwueme fellowship, starting March 2016. Fellows must be of Nigerian nationality and must be working on Governance research. The fellowship recipient receives a fellowship including coverage of the tuition fees for enrolment in the years 2, 3 and 4 (6.000 euro each, in total 18.000 euro). The application deadline is 15 October 2015.

    Scholarship can be taken at: Netherlands

    Eligibility -Fellow is younger than 40 when applying

    • The fellowship recipient will complete the application form – and fulfil all programme application requirements, before 15 October 2015.
    • The fellowship recipient applies for the fellowship, starting the GPAC2 programme on 1 March 2016.

    Scholarship Description: Starting March 2016 (application deadline 15 October 2015), the GPAC2 programme offers the option to apply for the Ekwueme fellowship. The fellowship is called after Nigeria’s first vice president and the founder of the political party PDP. He risked his life to stand up to the military dictatorship in Nigeria thus ending the country’s military rule and commencing our present democratic government which started in 1999.

    Duration of award(s): The fellowship will be offered every other year, with first fellow selected in the application round.

    What does it cover?

    • The fellowship recipient will pay him/herself the tuition for year one (8.000 euro), as well as tuition for all years that he/she will remain enrolled after year four.
    • The fellowship recipient will pay his/her own travel expenses , visa/permit expenses, accommodation expenses in Maastricht, fieldwork expenses, books and other expenses.

    How to Apply: Please use the online application form, to apply for the programme. When filling the form you will be asked to provide the documents listed below. Please note that all documents need to be provided digitally; official documents need to be scanned:

    • certified copies of bachelor’s and master’s diplomas and grades
    • proof of proficiency in English – the minimum level accepted is 600 PBT, 100 ICT or 240 CBT (TOEFL) or 7.0 (IELTS). Native speakers and students who have received their bachelor’s or master’s education in English are exempted
    • motivation letter (400- 500 words)
    • two signed reference letters on original letter head (by current or former professors or employers)
    • letter from current employer, including a statement of support of the GPAC² fellow and an indication of ways to support the fellow (for GPAC² applicants only)
    • one-page PhD research proposal
    • curriculum vitae
    • copy of passport
    • passport size picture

    Read more: Ekwueme Research Fellowship for Nigerians, 2016 Scholarship Positions 2015 2016

    Home Apri 2019

     

  • Ekwueme to Nigerians: give Buhari more time

    Ekwueme to Nigerians: give Buhari more time

    FORMER Vice President Alex Ekwueme yesterday urged Nigerians against rushing President Muhammadu Buhari into taking hasty decisions on issues of national importance.

    Dr. Ekwueme spoke at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Aguluzuigbo, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. It was at the thanksgiving mass of former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh.

    Ekwueme, who was deputy to former President Shehu Shagari, said: “Every leader has his own style. The most important thing is to get the right results, ensure peace, stability and unity of the country.”

    He, however, noted that the appointments so far made by the President did not quite meet the federal character requirement as envisaged by the Constitution.

    According to him, the constitution “requires that the president to observe federal character in appointments, considering the six geopolitical zones.”

    On Umeh, Ekwueme described the former APGA chair as an achiever, who attained greatness for Ndigbo at a tender. He urged him to keep the flag flying.

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano relived the roles played by Umeh and his predecessor Mr. Peter Obi in his emergence as governor.

    He described as regrettable that Obi had to leave the struggle in APGA midstream, saying he would intensify efforts to ensure that those who left APGA, including the former governor, returned.

    Umeh, who dug into APGA’s history from its registration in 2002, described his tenure as the party’s national chair as turbulent.

    According to him, he fought many battles to sustain the party in the last 10 years, saying that such battles included 43 law suits.

    He urged the new national chairman of the party, Victor Oye keep up the tempo.

  • Orji’s aide denies comment on Ekwueme

    The Special adviser to Abia State Governor Theodore Orji on Political Matters, Chief Amah Abraham Nnanna, has denied making a derogatory statement on former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme.

    He was quoted by a national newspaper (not The Nation) to have said that the ex-vice president had lost touch with the realities of life, while reacting to Ekwueme’s statement that President Goodluck Jonathan might not get block votes in the Southeast.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend in Umuahia, Nnanna said he was misquoted.