As the race for 2019 general elections is getting set, political zones, vested interests of different shades and colours, races and tribes are directly and indirectly mobilising for the all important exercise. Ambitions and aspirations are being articulated towards achieving future relevance.

From all indications, Ndigbo seem to be gearing up toward our usual political trademark – delusion and shadow chasing. One can discern from body languages, actions and inactions of the Igbo political elite that Ndigbo in PDP are not prepared to upgrade their near traditional second fiddle political ambition.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) few weeks ago concluded its elective convention where the position of the National Chairman was thrown open to all the Southern states. The Igbos in PDP did not consider it expedient to vie for the post. Attempt in most cases is no crime but can be recognised as a matter of seriousness and commitment. Instead of any show of interest in the exalted position, we know that Ndigbo in PDP are anxiously angling their usual noncompetitive and most of the time useless positions as "deputies".
In the words of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, "The Vice President, in Nigeria political setting, is merely a political vulture who waits to feed from the carcass of The President, if he dies. But in Nigeria, a president never TRULY dies. That leaves the Vice politically castrated".

We keep on crying and blaming others for our self inflicted political woes but refusing to demonstrate seriousness when it matters. We always fail to realise that a victim mentality is a prolonged form of self-destruction, a.k.a suicide. Those individuals and their zones who attempted getting what belonged to every member of the PDP from the South will command respect and regard than those who were nonchalant and timid about their right. Byron Katie said, “As long as you think that the cause of your problem is “out there” –as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering –the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim that you’re suffering in paradise”.

In every political contest like any human contest, a winner must emerge. But history records those who are part of the culture of competition in the electoral process. It is the civilisation of electoral competitiveness that yields dividends in democratic process. Sitting on the fence waiting for the second fiddle position is therefore a lazy approach to politics. And this is the bane of Ndigbo in PDP.

The victim mindset dilutes the human potential. By not accepting personal responsibility for our circumstances, we greatly reduce our power to change them. The constitutional framework allows individuals, states, and zones to attempt anything aimed at ensuring competitive democratic processes. What you get as a nonchalant party man/woman is a meaningless and useless gesture from an equal partner. Ndigbo should not be repeating the same thing all over and be expecting different results.

The second fiddle (Deputies) ambition is no longer feasible if we must stop the perceived marginalization of Ndigbo. Rochas Okorocha has in the past contested twice in the primaries against Buhari. He is respected and acknowledged as a faithful party man, and when he talks APC listens. Ndigbo must choose to deal with injustice humanely and break the chains of negative thoughts and energies, and not let themselves sink into them.

To our numerous “Deputy infested” Igbo political elite in all the political parties, make it a New Year resolution to reject this lowly selfish political ambition. It makes you a dog in the manger; it renders you impotent. Politics is about the greater good for the greater number. But your selfish ambition of deputy positions is seriously retarding the political and economic progress of Ndigbo. The time to beat a retreat and change is now!

- KRESTAN UKAH WRITES FROM LAGOS

http://pmexpressng.com/igbo-marginalisation-victim-mentality/

Wow.

I am just blown away by this writer.

This Ukah guy is an asset to the East. For a long time now, I have not heard any reasonable or truthful voice coming from the East, except their imaginary cries of everybody hates us in Nigeria.

To accept to play the role of the second fiddle always and always again,is something these Eastern Politicians have sub-consciously programmed their minds into playing and accepting.

There is power in Unity. And herein lies the power of the North,which encompasses some part of the Middle belt too.

The West are fast learners,and thanks to Asiwaju Tinubu, the West through their unity has become a voice to be reckoned with.

Or don't we see Politicians trooping everyday to Ota,and Ikoyi to negotiate with those we consider Western leaders?has anybody seen anybody courting the Easterners?no.

And the reason why?it is the land of the SECOND and they are perfectly content with being an OPTION.

Are the Easterners united?yes. United in what?hate and distrust to those they consider others. And it is their hate and distrust of others, that is making others scared of entrusting them with the position of FIRST.

I apologize if my truth hurt you guys.

They say the way you dress, usually determines how you are addressed. And they say, if you take your self serious,others will take you serious too.

Until the East is ready to mingle with other Nigerians openly,without always playing this victim game, nobody should take them serious.

N:B If you have a contrary opinion, please put a write up to that effect instead of the usual one liner insults.

They should b matured

Lalasticlacla Mynd44 Happy Saturday.

They should free themselves from hate and align with another major tribe. But I don’t see how they’re being marginalized since 1960

They had Nnamdi azikwe who aligned with ahmadu Bello

They had ekweme who aligned with shagari

In fact Obasanjo favored them more than the yoruba’s

They also had their son GEJ there

so I don’t see any marginalisation here

Last year the Southeast governors came together to compile facts and figures which proved that the region has been massively abandoned by the government at the center and established the fact that there was little or no federal presence .
thereafter the outcome of their meeting was forwarded to the federal govt which have not been disputed.

It is a fact that igbos have been marginalized,a statement that have been recognized by well meaning men and women from other geopolitical region.

No true Igbo man will fabricate this beer parlour write up which is coming from people that have continuously and shamelessly blamed the failures of a dullard that took over power 3years ago on the previous govt .
As long we are concerned it does not represent the facts on ground therefore null and void.

I don't care what the op is saying.


The igbos must do all they can to leave this failed experiment.


Nigeria is irredeemable.

Igbo will not vote Buhari because of his incompetentcy. Buhari have not performed enough to earn my vote. I don't know why we don't talk about Nigeria progress as a country instead ethnicity

Hahahahaha

If the strategy behind this article is to blackmail Igbos against throwing their numbers and votes behind Atiku then it has failed already

I don't want to read all the long epistle but say whatever you want to say, south east is marginalised. You may wish to call it victim mentality or whatever but it is the truth.
A look at the whole country will show you that south east is the only region where the federal government has refused to site any tangible asset apart from what can be ordinarily found in other region.
Other regions have seaports, refinaries,electric power stations,international airport,steel plants etc but non in the south east except of late when the last administration decided to convert Enugu airport to international airport but apart from that which other meaninful asset does the FG have in the south east? Your guess is good as mine.
We are already licking our wound and accepted our faith that the fg has no plans for the south east and thats why the only thing left for us it to be dogged and take our destinies into our hands.Thanks for Igbo sons and daughters who are already doing great eg innoson tonimas and the rest of them who are beginning to see the need to build companies in the east to provide employment for our people.
The injustice is there for all to see but it cannot stop us from achieving our God ordained destiny. My advice to all igbos living in the north, west and other parts of the country is; never forget home and always remember where you are coming from.

So Nigeria is all about fighting for position and influence? No wonder the place is a hopeless faliure

Igbos should forget the disaster called Nigeria and agitate for their independence

Too long. Summarise