I Advised Ojukwu Not To Join Nigerian Politics

Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Widow of Nigeria’s First Military Head of state

— Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Widow of Nigeria’s First Military Head of state
By Amechi Nwede, Umuahia
November last year Nigerians woke up to hear of the demise of the Biafra war lord, Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, how did you receive the news?
I am really not tired of talking about Emeka. I was in the church sometimes last week when some Journalists from Enugu came calling , demanding to get my reaction to the demise of the late icon. My Reverend Father initially rejected their request to see me. But, I said no. To me, Ojukwu’s death is a heavy blow. I recalled in his early life, precisely in 1957, his father called on me complaining how stubborn Emeka was, and that the only profession he could fit-in is the Army. He said he was afraid Emeka might not accept, but maintained that if somebody like my Husband should talk to him, he would accept to enlist into the Army, and that was exactly what happened. Emeka was like a son to us. Before the war, he was passionate about Igbos. He had vowed Ndigbo must have their rightful place in the comity of other ethnic groups in Nigeria. He said Igbos have contributed enough to Nigeria progress and advancement, but regretted that they are often short-changed when it comes to sharing.
You said his father used to complain to you about Emeka’s stubbornness, is there anything you ever regret about his person now that he is dead?
Yes, I once gave him an important advice bordering on the nation’s politics which he turned down. I had advised him not to join the nations’ murky water of politics. My advise was based on facts that he was just returning from exile then and so needed to study the political terrain of the country, an advise he turned down. You no what happened next, it became a problem. He was a young man, politics pushes people. Emeka had always regretted that he did not build a house for me in Umuahia, Abia state capital. He also regretted that government did not build a house for me. When my husband, Aguiyi- Ironsi was killed on January 15 1966, Ikemba, as he is fondly called, took us to Enugu and accomodated us. It is a reality that he is gone to join his ancestors. I pray that the Lord Jesus would accept his soul and I know that they are all in the bossom of the Lord.
Your Excellency, from your analysis, it is obvious that you were touched?
When I heard the news of his demise, it was difficult for me to rise and attend my normal church worship.
What would you say Emeka Ojukwu would be remembered for?
Emeka would be remembered for a lot of things. He believed in truth and believed in the Igbo man. Even when others saw the oppression and kept quiet, Emeka spoke out.
In your view, what major legacies do you think, Emeka left behind?
The common saying that Igbo Enweghi Eze, personally, I don’t understand it. I heard Ndigbo say it themselves. Why do we not have an Eze (king), the fingers are not equal. Ndigbo don’t love themselves. It is time the people love themselves, instead of destroying what is their own.
You also said you advised Emeka against politics, but Ndigbo believes he gave them a voice through APGA, the All Progressives Grand Alliance?
That was then, I believe the time he indicated interest to join politics was not ripe. Remember, we in Abia were in APGA before defecting to PDP. Indeed, the APGA Ojukwu founded had given the Igbos a voice, the Party is doing well and should be kept alive to sustain the Igbo spirit. The party has become a rallying point for the Igbos. It should not be allowed to die, instead, it should be made to remain one of the legacies of the Igbos.
What kind of burial would you recommend for Emeka, come February 2012?
I would recommend a Christian burial, just a solemn burial that would befit him.
The Igbo unity is being threatened, what is your advise to the Igbo race particularly now that Ojukwu is dead?
Ndigbo should come together. I thought Ohana-Eze, a pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation should have been a unifying factor for the people.There was a time I was honouring all invitations of Ohane-Eze as well as attending their meetings. My dream is to see a united Igbo race.
What is your advice to Ojukwu’s immediate family?
At a time like this, the only consolation is God, I urge the children and wife to go to God in prayers. They will see what I saw, but would definitely triumph.