YORUBA, MAY 11 : Barely a week ahead of the Naga Plebiscite Day on May 16 where Adinno Phizo is scheduled to deliver the presidential address of the Naga National Council (NNC), another group of the NNC - the non-accordist - has elected General (Retd) Thinoselie M. Keyho as the president of NNC today during its general meeting held at Yoruba village under Chakhesang region.
Gen (Retd) T.M. Keyho, who hails from Chedema village under Angami region, was given the charge of national responsibility along with a new team of executive members which includes Thepushuyi S. Keyho from Chakhesang region as vice president, Bendang Sangtam as joint secretary and I. Matong from Ao region as advisor. The post of general secretary and two posts each for vice president and joint secretary were not announced today, however, it was informed that these vacant posts would be filled at the earliest.
The administration of oath of allegiance to the elected members was done by Mayam Riyam (Supreme Judge) of NNC, Vekronu Dozo. In his acceptance speech as the president, Keyho was humbled to accept the highest post of the NNC.
“I have accepted the responsibility of NNC president with humility, believing that together we can put the NNC back to its right track,” Keyho said while addressing a host of Naga national workers coming from all the regions of the Naga areas.
“The NNC is the only genuine and authentic political organization and national institution of the Naga national movement which has the mandate of the Naga people, and therefore, it holds the key to the final solution of the Indo-Naga political conflict,” Keyho said reiterating that “the NNC stands for the solidarity of the Naga people and sovereignty of the nation.”
Speaking at the occasion, Kedahge of the Federal Government of Nagaland, Brig. (Retd) S. Singnya called upon the Nagas to come together to work for the greater cause of the Naga nation. “Let us restrengthen ourselves to achieve our goals. We cannot and never be suppresed by any foreign rule,” FGN Kedahge said.
On the change of leadership, Singnya said “Our goal and target remains the same. There will be no changes in the NNC Yehzahbo (Constitution), it’s just a change in leadership,” he reminded the august gathering.
Member of Central Executive Committee NNC, Zapuvisie Lhousa urged upon all sections of the Naga society to forgive and forget about the past and come together under the banner of NNC.
Rev V.K. Nuh, who pronounced blessing for the elected members, termed the day as a historic event for the wNaga nation. Stating that the Naga nation would not survive this far without the love and mercy of God, he urged the Naga people to always seek God’s wisdom.
“We have reasons to be happy and thankful to God,” he said while he prayed for God’s blessings and wisdom upon the elected members as they march to serve the Naga nation.
On the day, the NNC also resolved to stand by the 14th August Declaration of Naga Independence of 1947 and the 16th May Naga Plebiscite of 1951, while it also resolved to continue to abide and adhere to the principles of non-
violence and mutual respect for realizing Naga national aspiration. The adopted resolutions were moved by Zhopra Vero, Kedahlo, FGN.
The programme, chaired by Senka Ao, president of Ao region, NNC, commenced with invocation pronounced by Rev. Pukrolhu Lohe. A song was presented by Prayer Warriors, National Prayer House, Yoruba, while an indigenous song was presented by Suthozu Old village. The vote of thanks was tendered by Thepushuyi S. Keyho, vice president, NNC.