CONFAB: Igbo Leaders Blast Okurounmu for Disparaging Prof. Nwabueze

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines, News Saturday, January 11th, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

Igbo leaders on Friday blasted the chairman of the presidential Advisory Committee PAC on the proposed National conference, Senator Femi Okurounmu, for daring to disparage the eminent constitutional lawyer Prof. Ben Nwabueze.

Dr Femi Okunrounmu, Chairman National Conference Advisory Committee

The Igbo Leaders of Thought in their reply to Okurounmu’s attack on Nwabueze said “it became necessary to point out to distinguished Chief Okorounmu, that his rabid vituperation on Prof. Nwabueze was uncalled for.

Okurounmu, was recently quoted to have called Prof. Nwabueze “Mr Known it All and one who always disparages anything he is not in-charge of.”

Angered by such statement, the Igbo leaders maintained that Okurounmu’s poor remarks were weak attempt to divert public attention from the grave issues Igbo Leaders of thought led by Nwaubueze raised on the proposed CONFAB.

According to them,”Neither the Igbo Leaders of Thought nor Prof. Nwabueze raised any issues with the person of our respected Senator Okurounmu.

“What we said is that the report of PAC falls short of the expeditions of Nigerians who desire a genuine national conference of ethnic nationalities.”

In a statement signed by, the Deputy Secretary, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Evangelist Elliot Uko, made available to newsmen in Enugu, the group, noted that issues uppermost in the minds of Nigerians are that no ethnic nationality be left out of the National Conference.

“That the National Assembly should not have a final say on the decisions of the National Conference; That the National Assembly should pass an enabling law to legalize the National Conference as inherent powers of the president has been successful challenged in several Courts in the past.

“That Nigerians desire a fresh constitution not an amendment of the Abacha Constitution and that the decision of the National Conference must be affirmed at a people’s referendum.”

They further pointed out that the above issues are contained in the letter they sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that as days roll by, Nigerians will discover between Prof. Nwabueze and Chief Okorounmu who is telling the truth.