The Unwritten Constitutional Provision

Rotational Presidency is expedient for the unity of the various constituents of the polarized state of Nigeria,until such a time when every Nigerian will regard himself as a Nigerian who will relegate his ethnic nationality to the background. Although it is not enshrined in the constitution,it an unwritten rule which can make or mar the republic. Undoubtedly,the health of the president and question of who succeeds him has shown us that just as an animal cannot run faster than his tail,it has an enormous role to play in the continued existence of Nigeria as a united nation.

Rotational presidency among the traditional tripods of Nigeria then extending later to the minorities will give every citizen of this republic a true sense of belonging and as such evoke the much needed patriotism necessary to bring about a true Giant of Africa,heralding such a time when such separatist agitations of groups like that of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOP) will go extinct.

It is not in the interest of the continued existence of the nation if the other two tripods of the republic dominate the presidency of the country leaving out the third tripod being the Igbos in spite of the failure of these other privileged members of the republic in the past 50 years of our independence to bring about meaningful development and progress in the life and history of the nation.
Adequate developments and progress if they had being achieved over the past five decades would have pacified the agitation of the Igbos for an answer to “the Ndi Igbo question in Nigerian politics ” as Prof Omo Omoruyi,mni would put it. Nigeria as a developed African nation with all the opportunities to thrive and survive just like our African brothers South Africa,Egypt and Angola would have caused the astute and industrious Jewish-like Igbo people to soft peddle on the quest to clinch the top job of the nation but not eliminating it completely.

We are aware that the “black people” question in US politics found its answer in the emergence of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States of America. Although the United States has enormous wealth and opportunities for all people and ranks as a unique country which its foundation of unity is based on the freedom of every man,the black were still denied the top job of the republic until recently. That political irrelevance became a torn in the subconscious of the vast majority of blacks who have over the years contributed their quota to the development of the world's largest and biggest economic and political entity.

Transformation of An Ideology

In time past,I have always wished that Biafra was a success. As a true son of Igbo land,I have always being sympathetic to the cause of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Sovereign State of Nigeria (MASSOP). Albeit I do not buy into their sometimes violent gorilla tactics. Firstly,as a growing child,I developed this mindset that Nigerians do not have any business living together as one nation. The frequent religious clashes in the North targeted at Christians per se by the Muslims,which end up being an avenue of pillaging,unwanton killing and persecution of the vast majority of the Igbos who are wont to inhabit any part of the globe with easy adaptation traits no more less a supposed part of their country.

With little or no provocation the carnage and attacks are constantly perpetuated until in recent times when reprisal attacks have ensued thereafter causing a significant reduction in the frequency of these massacres. I am one of those who can on no account live in any northern city of Nigeria. We are aware that pockets of violence still pop up unannounced at seldom. My argument is that if after several years of co-existence, frequent occurrence of such events reminds us that the various members of this union are not yet ready to co-habit together.

Secondly as an avid and omnivorous reader,I have read several books on Nigeria history. I have also had a good dose of the accounts of the Nigeria/Biafra war and I ended up with the conclusion that Nigeria is a mismatch. The North never wanted Nigeria,it was the southern people especially the south-east who were at the forefront of a united Nigeria and it back fired on them. In recent times calls for a Sovereign national conferenced underscores the need for a renegotiation of the terms of our unity.

However, Nigeria has weathered these chequered history and storms for 50 years and it seems that we are destined to live together or eventually work out our unity as one nation. Furthermore,wars and conflict are outdated and no more desirable. Nations prefer to engage in economic emancipation struggle to better the lives of its citizens and re-enact economic colonization as the modern norm. The unpleasantness of wars and conflict is made more glaring by the sophisticated nature of present day wars with its attendant undesirable heavy human casualty. The Nigeria/Biafra civil war took the lives of over 3,000,000 people and an attempt at disintegration will prove more fatal given the current population of over 150 million Nigerians.

Undoubtedly the availability of abundant human and material resources and the recent institutionalization of democracy makes it forward thinking to find a solution to the many problems of Nigeria as a united country rather than opting for the “balkanization of Nigeria” in the words of the Zik of Africa which will have many negative consequences. The irony of the matter is that the powers brokers are indirectly working against the unity of Nigeria through their actions,decisions and marginalization of other members of this union especially the Igbos from the presidential seat of the nation.

No wonder the United States who are good at predicting the future in their ingenuity garnered from substantial investment in Research and Development (R&) have predicted that Nigeria will disintegrate on or before 2015.As captured by the present President of the Pan-Igbo political and socio-cultural organisation,Oheneze Ndi Igbo,Amb. Raph Uwachue “the break-up of countries, some very powerful and prosperous, like the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, took place along ethnic lines. They are examples that we must eschew in Africa, already over-fragmented.”

These countries did not willingly opt for the disintegration,it came with the attendants wars which consumed lives and properties of these nations. These nations disintegrated because of their inability to address the fundamental questions of their unity and existence. Today we have the seventh country,Kosovo emerging from the former Yugoslavia as a result of the unresolved ethnic differences. If Nigeria continues the way it is going,we are heading for the Waterloo.

The Ndi Igbo Question in Nigerian Politics

“For this clearly discriminatory attitude towards Ndi Igbo, and in sharp contrast with the unanimous national political concession given to the Yorubas over the M.K.O. Abiola case, cited earlier, it is only right to assert that our beloved co-citizens of Nigeria owe the Igbo Nation unreserved fraternal apology for visiting an unjust and sustained capital political punishment on the entire Igbo nation, vis-à-vis their constitutional right to exercise executive power as president bf our country.” Ambassador Raph Uwechue, OFR

“This callous and contemptuous treatment meted out to Ndigbo is in clear and cruel contrast with the compassionate concession, massively supported by Ndigbo, given to the Yorubas in 1999 to field the two Olus- Falae and Obasanjo, for the presumed presidential slot missed by their kinsman, Chief M.K.O Abiola, in 1993. Surely, what is considered political sauce for the aggrieved Yoruba goose, and rightly so, should equally be tendered to the politically famished Igbo gander.” Prof Omo Omoruyi,mni

The statements which I have empathetically captured above reflects and brings to the limelight “the Ndi Igbo Question in Nigerian Politics” which was not only explicitly discussed in an article by Prof Omo Omoruyi,mni but has continued to prop up in various other articles,presentations,media debates and indeed in everyday conversation of the politics of Nigeria vis-a-vis marginalisation and unity of Nigeria. It is evident that the Igbos and indeed the whole of Nigeria gave the Yorubas a “compassionate concession” in 1999 where by the two Olu-Falae and Obasanjo were fielded for the presidential slot. Former President Obasanjo signed a “pact” with north that he would hand over to far-north in 2007 and it came to pass in 2007 that President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was elected as president to hold the presidency for the north for a possible eight year tenure after which power will once more rotate to the south.

Unfortunately,two and a half years into the presidency of Yar'Adua who is know to suffer a terminal sickness,it looks gloomy that he will be able to serve out his presidency which implies that the Vice-president who hails from the south-south region will take over the mantle of leadership. This present situation of the nation has brought to bear the issue of rotational presidency which many Nigerians chose to brush aside out of ignorance. Certain elements in the north are ready to subvert the constitution and are currently engaging in the unethical and unreasonable acts of mounting pressure on the vice-president to resign, to pave way for a northern who the ailing and dying president will appoint as vice-president before his inevitable resignation ensuring that the presidency remains in the north till 2015. So I now pose these two questions pose to all Nigerians;

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[li]If rotational presidency is not relevant in our polity,why does the north not advice the incapacitated president to resign and hand over to the vice-president who will peaceful continue the leadership of the nation till 2011 elections where he or anyone would be eligible to contest and win the office based solely on merit?

Why is it any time it is the turn of Ndi Igbo that Nigerians will remember that the president should be based on merit and why don't Nigerians tell it to the north right now?[/li]
[li][/li]
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In recent times,I joined Nairaland,a Nigeria Discussion forum on the internet. The question of Governor Babatunde Fashola running for president 2011 was presented for discussion and the broad consensus and opinion of Nigerians who contributed was that he should wait until the other tripods finish their terms before he could contest. I personal presented a post titled “support Igbo presidency 2015” which drew support and also criticisms. Many were sceptical about Igbo presidency in 2015 quickly resorting to the fact that credibility should be the yardstick for the office.

That is where the second question above comes into play. The answer to that question lies in the distrust which the rest of Nigeria harbours towards Ndi Igbo. It is stated better by Prof Omo Omoruyi that “the perceived overall aggressiveness of the Igbos in social and business intercourse creates fright among their competitors who tend to gang up against them. However, the core problem for the Igbos today is clearly traceable to the immediate events that preceded the civil war, 1967-70. The military coup of January 1966 is central to it all. It created fear and distrust of the Igbos that are yet to be purged from the national political system.”

Unfortunately the Igbo may not be patient for too long because if eventually after 16 years of democracy 2015 shared equitably between the Yorubas and Hausas,the Igbos are denied of the top position of this nation,we may be forced to reconsider our membership of the republic. A sincere analysis of the polity shows that power will remain in the north till 2015.Even if Yar'Adua is unable to continue in power,in other to avoid chaos and a possible invitation of military takeover of power,the north will allow the vice-president to serve out the Yar'Adua presidency till 2011 elections. But bet me a “pact” will be made between him and the power brokers in the north for him to step aside for a president of northern origin in 2011.

Also recently,the rumour has spread that the north is poised to hold on to power till 2019.How is this possible? The simple logic is that Yar'Adua may not complete his tenure due to deteriorating health. Even if the Vice-president takes over if Yar'Adua resigns,he will do so with the agreement of handing power over to the north in the 2011 elections. Jostling and disagreement over who gets the office of the vice-president on Yar'Adua's resignation has been rife in the media. If any northern ascends to power in 2011,he will want to seek a second tenure in office come 2015 at the expiration of his first tenure. This will surely negate the principles of the “pact” signed between the north and south in 2007.

Given the fact that the present leadership is so obstinate and insincere about implementing good laws for credible election come 2011,there is the likelihood that the northern president who will emerge in 2011 will follow in that footstep of orchestrating fraudulent elections and therefore perpetuating himself in power and that means that 2015 may prove illusive yet again for Ndi Igbo.

So what should be Ndi Igbo take on this envisaged actions? According to Prof Omo Omoruyi,he opined and asserted equivocally that “ Igbo leaders should address the Igbo question.” He went further to state “I once challenged a friend from the south-east to organize a conference devoted to agenda setting for the Igbo nation in Nigeria. The Igbo like other ethnic nationalities should cultivate "the Igbo Permanent Interest in Nigeria. Today, instead of having a permanent interest, the Igbo leaders want to think of who should be labelled the Igbo Permanent Friend in Nigeria and who should be the Igbo Permanent Igbo Enemy. The Hausa/Fulani is called the traditional Igbo Permanent Friends and the Yoruba is the Igbo Permanent Enemy.”

I totally agree with him. It should now be glaring to the large number of astute and industrious Igbo business men and women,elite,leaders,youths and indeed everyone of Igbo extraction that political power in a polarized state like Nigeria is necessary for economic prowess. We can bring about that needed and necessary progress which Nigeria desires and requires which others have failure to bring about. For 50 long years the other ethnic groups have piloted the affairs with no progress to show for it. We know how forward looking and business like the Igbos are.

The issues of implementing the UWAIS report for credible elections and fiscal federalism which Nigeria desperately need will be achieved with an Igbo president in place. The Igbos are the most democratic of all the major tribes in Nigeria. History shows that the system of government of the Igbos which vested the exercise of power on the “Umunna”, a congregation of kinsmen depicts how democratic the Igbos were before the coming of the colonialist who saw it as threat to their government.

Suffix me to say that the clamour for Igbo presidency is a desire to have that true sense of belonging in our nation Nigeria. Rotational presidency is not an alibi for bad governance,corruption and poor performance. There is no explanation for non-implementation of the viable option such as the UWAIS report for credible elections,insincere anti-corruption crusades,implementation of anti-people policies and other failures of this administration. Also I believe that the three tripods of the republic can produce leaders who will lift Nigerians out our present quagmire and predicament.

However,it not only the other tripods of Nigeria that should be blamed for the plight of Ndi Igbo. As Prof Omo Omoruyi will put it “No doubt, the Igbo people themselves have their share of the blame in this unsavoury saga, especially given the individualistic and blindly opportunistic attitude of some Igbo politicians, scrambling for the crumbs of public office in total disregard of legitimate Igbo collective interest within the Nigerian family.” It is time for Ndi Igbo to put aside their “individualistic and blindly opportunistic attitude” and confront this great monster and use that opportunity if realized to bring about reasonable change and progress in the life of the republic.

In this light,I believe that early preparation is necessary for the Igbos to find the answer to the monstrous Igbo question. Clinching the presidency in 2015 will be determined by the position of Ndi Igbo in 2011. It will be in the interest of the region to reach a “pact” with all the all political aspirants who are likely going to be from the north in 2011 to relinquish power in 2015 paving the way for emergence of a president of Igbo extraction. The Igbo have to present a united front regardless of political affiliation.

This preposition above makes it expedient that we harness the power of the internet for healthy cross-fertilisation of ideas in realising that dream of Igbo presidency come 2015.Given that the best social networking site is Facebook with over 350 million active users,with over 10 million Nigerians using the internet,it came be used as rallying point in support of this goal. It is time for the Igbos to get united and the other constituents of Nigeria should as a matter of urgency realize that peace could elude us if one traditional tripods of the republic should as equity and fair play demands should not be cheated out of power.

Join the group “ SUPPORT IGBO PRESIDENCY 2015” on Facebook, a five (5)years project in which your voice will play a role in the realisation of the Nigeria of our dreams. Invite your friends let us extend its frontiers. Obama used the internet and video games in his successful campaign. Also through this medium ordinary Nigerians like us can push for implementation of policies such the UWAIS report that will ensure that credible elections which will be acceptable to all are held in 2011 even if all the presidential aspirants are from the north such that any leader that emerges will be accountable to us all.

Igbo presidency in 2015 is inevitable. It is a realization of the identity of the Igbo man in Nigerian political scene as true members of the union whereas a departure from giving the Igbos a sense of belonging in the words of Obama that “suppression of tribal and religious identity can lead to war.” Ndi Igbo have to be at the fore-front rallying other Nigerians who will share in this vision and aspiration of Igbo presidency. More so, a united Nigeria where political equity and fairness is paramount for the realization of the Nigeria of our dreams is the best option in this present generation.

Chapelle.S ,
Thank you for your time. What you stated above is very clear.