Senate Minority Leader and representative of Abia Central Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, yesterday, declared that the Igbo would not accept to be subjected to second class citizens in the country, because they have equal stakes with other major ethnic groups.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abaribe made the assertion, at the weekend, after the Amuzu Ubakala Autonomous Community in Umuahia South Council of Abia State conferred the chieftaincy title of Mmiri Oma Nasoro Oha 1 (the good flowing river) on him.
The former Deputy Governor, who had declared his ambition to succeed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023, said his forceful voice in the Senate was borne out of his conviction that Ndigbo were no strangers, but major stakeholders in the country.
He maintained that any attempt to relegate Ndigbo to the background or make them play second fiddle would amount to an effort in futility, as the Igbo people were determined to take their rightful place in the affairs of Nigeria.
Abaribe insisted that Ndigbo must be accorded their honour, rights and privileges, as equal stakeholders in Nigeria, more so, considering their contributions and sacrifices to the development and sustenance of the country.
He pledged to continue to defend the cause of the Igbo race irrespective of the political risks, adding: “When a man was needed to surety our son, I proved that we are no second-class citizens.”
Speaking, the traditional ruler of Amuzu Ubakala, Eze Chukwuemeka Iruke, said the honour was to recognise Abaribe’s outspokenness at the Senate and for attracting a road project to the community, which is outside his senatorial zone.
“Without you, Ndigbo would have been voiceless at the senate this dispensation,” the monarch said, adding that he was yet to believe that the road linking Obinubi with Mgbedala, which had been abandoned since his 78 years of existence, could be constructed.
On his part, President General of the Community, Elder Rex Uwakwe, applauded Abaribe for his efforts at the Senate and commended Hon. Nwokoma Okorie, who attracted Abaribe to the community.
