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Nigeria
February 15, 2025
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Politics

Ohanaeze Hails Senate’s Role in $5.8 billion China Exim Bank loan

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State Chapter has commended the Nigerian Senate for the maturity, statesmanship and patriotism displayed in handling the $5.8 billion loan request from the China Exim Bank.

Recall that the Federal Government had requested the loan for the construction of Standard Gauge lines from Lagos-Kano, Kano-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, and Lagos-Calabar, excluding the south-east corridor, an action which has raised serious allegations of marginalisation against the region.

In a statement signed by the chairman , Enugu State chapter of the Igbo apex  socio-cultural body hailed the unity of purpose of the Senate in this matter and especially the statesmanship shown by the Senate President, Dr. Olusola Saraki who upheld that there was no reason why the South East should be excluded from the rail project for which the loan was sought.

He expressed Ohanaeze Ndigbo happiness over the resolution of the Senate that the loan should not be considered except all the regions were carried along in the utilisation of the loan.

“We are proud of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, who had described the borrowing plan as the height of injustice; insisting that the exclusion of the South East is in clear breach of the Federal Character Principle as captured in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that the conduct of the affairs of the Federal Government shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty”.

Nwodo had called on the lawmakers, leaders and civil society from the South East to mobilise their colleagues and compatriots who believe in the unity and equitable development of the country to vote against this injustice.

The statement also urges the Senate not to be distracted in its commitment to the unity of the country.

“ We join in the loud rejection of suggestions by the likes of Sen. Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) that the loan is approved irrespective of its obvious default’.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State Chapter believes in the philosophy of handshakes across the Niger and Benue and hopes that the Ashafas shall soon come out of their cocoons to embrace the moving train”.

“By the reason of this landmark resolution by the senate, Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses stronger confidence in the National Assembly.’

“We are now confident that the right people in leadership positions can save the country from it’s odious past. We are confident that the serial injustice meted to the Igbo over the decades has gained the empathy and consciousness of men of conscience and goodwill. We are confident that the more the efforts to marginalise the Igbo or indeed any section of the people, the more this crop of senators will rise with one voice against injustice; and the better for the Nigeria of Ohanaeze dream. We must always be guided that the Nigeria we seek is where justice reigns; a truly restructured Nigeria where the abundant mineral resources will be fully unleashed and harnessed for the growth and prosperity of all; and where no group is sidelined in the course of nation-building.”

“The 8th senate has more than others before it demonstrated courage, good judgment, bipartisanship and statesmanship in its legislative process. It is indeed for the purpose of sober second thought, wise counsel and broad inclusive legislations that the senate was established in the ancient Roman Empire.”

“ We, therefore, salute the courage, camaraderie and magnanimity of the senators by rising to the occasion.”

 

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