EDITORIAL: Prince Arthur Eze And The Question Of Igbo Unity

The recent statement by billionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze regarding Igbo unity came to many with mixed reactions. Some political hustlers that feed from his table wished he never uttered the word, while the remaining characters in his retinue were busy explaining and justifying what seems distasteful and unexpected from a respected elder statesman.

While addressing journalists in his hometown in Ukpo, Anambra State, he said “for the Igbo to be President, they must love themselves. Do they love themselves? The North is very kind. If you go to Northern Nigerian, you will see churches everywhere. There are churches in Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Abuja, and others yet they say there is hatred. Do we (Igbo) love ourselves.”

He continued his diatribe, “only God can make an Igbo man President. We shall pray to God to find an Igbo man who has the character to help people. I would prefer someone who has a conscience; somebody who will remember me. I don’t care where you come from.”

“I went to the North, they didn’t know who I was. They gave me $12m for the construction of Kano TV in 1980. I didn’t have one naira then. It was the same thing in Katsina, Borno and Kaduna. Then, they put me in the oil business. They didn’t care where I came from. Tell me any Igbo man who can do that?”

When such statements flow from the mouth of an elder, it calls for concern. However, this is not the issue of what an elder sees sitting down, a child cannot see it standing up. Rather, it is a reckless statement from someone who should know better.

The truth remains that the Igbos have done well for themselves after the expected annihilation from the federal forces during the civil war. It was through the spirit of igwebuike (united we stand) and onye aghana Nwanneya (be your brother’s keeper) that the Igboman rose up from the ashes after surviving the horrors of the civil war. The Southeast did not develop through any economic emancipation from the Federal Government nor through a Development Commission.

In the light of the recent events in Nigeria, especially the increasing insecurity, political instability and economic deprivations staring everyone in the face, this is the time for leaders to think of how to steer the polity forward. The recent 50-man steering committee for the Alaigbo Stabilization Fund is a step in that direction. He might have made the statement out of frustration or food for thought for the Igbo nation, those statements are not needed now.

The Igbos have bled for Nigeria, faced all manner of marginalization and persecution, survived unhealthy economic policies designed to emasculate the SE region, and have survived them all. We call on all Igbo leaders to use their influence to promote unity, socioeconomic and sociopolitical integration. A working Igboland will benefit everyone economically, socially, and politically.