The 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections have come and gone and the Ibos have made a strong statement about their identity, core values and belief with the results released so far. It is on record that the fifteen Senatorial Zones in the South East were swept by the People Democratic Party- PDP and also virtually all the slots of the House of Representatives in the Zone were also won by the Ruling Party. Same was recorded in Lagos State, where two indigenes of Ibo stock won two slots of the House of Representative on the platform of PDP. These huge success recorded by PDP was as a result of the massive support / love the zone gave to the person of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Ndigbo truly demonstrated the Igbo Philosophy of Onye Aghala Nwanneya, which was evident in the massive support and true love shown to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This is the first president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that showed the Igbos trust with the appointment of two illustrious Igbo sons to the position of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff at the same time. In no distant past, most Igbo Ministers were appointed as mere ceremonial head, while the Minister of State who are not Ibos are the ones that call the shots. However, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan changed that status quo by appointing Igbo Ministers that were well empowered to function at full capacity. The State burial accorded to the IKEMBA of Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu was an honor shown by GEJ which no previous Administration could have accorded the Ibos. It is on record that the Ibos were given that sense of belonging by President Goodluck Jonathan more than any other previous administration. Therefore it is not a mistake that the Ibos voted massively for the President’s party, the PDP. The Igbo’s are not traitors and will always respond with goodness to those who accorded goodness to them. They know their brothers and will always support same in critical times. That is the Onye Aghala Nwanneya guiding philosophy of the Igbo nation.

Therefore it is not a political miscalculation for giving all to PDP as some will want us to believe that we have lost in the Political chess board of Nigeria. Rather, it is a golden opportunity waiting to be harnessed by Ndigbo political class who have massively given their support and showed true love to their own brother that accorded them due respect in the nation’s polity. For the first time in the Nigeria Political history, the Igbo’s gave their support and alliance to the South South in a bid to gain political power. It is no longer news that the venture apparently failed. However, it is a life time political investment that the South East had made. They have used the opportunity to assure their neighboring cousins in the South South region that they are forever one, despite the sour relationship of the past. The South East has gained one of the most prized strategic alliances they ever needed to regain their lost political glory in Nigeria. The time to occupy the highest seat of power is now. It is no longer a mirage, but a reality that is not farfetched. However, Ndigbo must work hard to achieve this herculean task.

This is a new dawn for the Ibos. The first time in their political history, they will be in the opposition party, the People Democratic Party (PDP). This is the first time they will have the opportunity to resist the eating of crumbs from the table of the Masters. Enough of crumbs eating, this is the time to follow the most honorable path that is least travelled by men of honour. This is the time to go inward and discover who we are and come out strongly to achieve our ultimate goal to gain political control of Nigeria. We all know that political power is never gotten on a platter of gold. It must be schemed and fought for. After the demise of M.K.O Abiola, the South West went on a total opposition to the Central Government, agitating and scheming for political power. Their plans and aspiration paid off, with the two main political parties (PDP & AD) presenting both presidential candidates of South West origin. That process produced General Olusegun Obasanjo who presided over the affairs of Nigeria for Eight Years. Within that period, the region benefitted immensely. However, with the turn of event bringing in President Goodluck Jonathan into the saddle, the South West was relegated to the background and the core North felt short changed that the region could have been allowed to finish the eight years tenure of the late President Musa Yaradua. Though, the president tried as much as possible to assuage the core North with several political appointments and the sighting of major projects in the region, they were however focused on their objective to produce the next president. It is a common knowledge that the South West least benefitted from the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Therefore, with the agitation of the North to produce the next president, the south west became politically fertile for the conservative North to form a strong strategic alliance in the bid to gain political control. The rest they say is history.

The foregoing is a lesson on political strategies for the Ibos to learn and commence planning / implementation for the next political dispensation. Ndigbo have not lost; rather they have gained a strong political ally – the South South. This is the time to be in the opposition in a constructive and objective manner with unity of purpose for the ultimate goal. Ndigbo need to remain strong, focus and sustain the political gains which were evident in the last election result in Lagos State, South East and South South Regions. From the results released so far, the SE has the highest number of elected persons into the National Assembly, thus the onus of party leadership falls on them to lead the pack of party faithful across the nation to form a formidable opposition. With benefit of hindsight it is obvious that some weak and hungry party members will definitely defect to the incoming ruling party. This action should not border Ndigbo, because same group of defectors would serve as the optimum tool for the final battle. Recall that one of the major weapons that brought PDP to her knees where the defectors to the opposition party - APC. However, the defection took place after APC has proved her worth as a genuine opposition party that is ready to challenge the ruling party.

In the same vein, Ndigbo should remain steadfast and focused as a group and as events unfold Ndigbo should be able to provide and show leadership so as to be taken seriously both locally and internationally. Having shown resilience in the face of opposition and proved her worth in leadership, other splinter groups and aggrieved members will begin to retrace their step back to the party to form the required alliance that will eventually result to the desired objective – Control of Political Power. However, Ndigbo should have it at the back of their mind that no amount of shouting that: It is Our Turn will give them the desired result. Now is the time for Ndigbo to start planning, strategizing, forming relevant alliances and most importantly unity of purpose to actualize their ultimate objective come 2019. It is a done deal, if and only if they remain united.



By: Dcn Josh Okereke

Its post like this that makes me cry.
What has IGBO land gained from 16years of PDP rule?
Is there 24/7 power supply in The eastern part?
Its all this nonsense that has lead us to this present state in our country.

Ok, i am keenly watching who is going to form an alliance with the Igbos.

No be the same Igbos causing problems everwhere.

Spits...