….Calls for true federalism, state police
“He was not whisked away”
Former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has called on the Igbo to participate actively in the ongoing INEC Voter Registration exercise.
El-Rufai who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, made the call while speaking during a dinner in his honour in Owerri on Friday, September 5, noted that voter turnout has been declining since 2027. He described the South-East as among the lowest in terms of number of registered voters in the country, adding that such was not suitable for a zone that desires to produce the President of Nigeria.
He hinted that less than 30 percent of registered voters bothered to vote in 2023, compared to 60 percent in 2003.
The former FCT minister who iterated his belief in the prospects of Nigeria,
opined that while the country is founded as a federation, it appears that there were very few federalists in the nation. He made it clear that the attempt to run Nigeria as unitary system was contrary to the founding constitutional structure as well as neglects the germane issue of diversity.
El- Rufai maintained that promoting federalism remained in the best interest of Nigeria.
He expressed hope that Nigerians would unite in a common endeavour for national prosperity and development
“We have the capacity to be better than we are. We need a collective vision along with personal merit to make our country a better place.
“We have amused ourselves for far too long in numerous divisions. We do not have to wallow in that mud of stagnation,” the former Kaduna State governor added.
He thanked Rt Hon Nnaemeka Maduagwu, Jasper Azuatalam and Uche Diala for their support.
Speaking, Kachi Onunuju urged El – Rufai to support the Igbo aspiration to produce a President, adding that all the Igbo wanted was to be treated like every other Nigerian tribe.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Batos Nwadike said the Igbo are not cut out to dominate Nigeria, but to promote Nigeria and bring about change.
Meanwhile ,a report from the Odenigbo Lecture 2025, showed that the former Kaduna State governor, El-Rufai was accorded a rousing welcome contrary to falsehood being peddled in the Social Media that he was whisked away as a result of a protest.
Although it was said that there was a scanty number of protesters, the former minister was said to have finished at the programme as special guest of the Odenigbo lecture 2025 , ” OKWADO ODENIGBO” and left peacefully With out qualms.
