By Chioma Gabriel, Editor Special Features

Just recently, governors of the southeast and other political leaders in the region including Ohanaeze Ndigbo met in Enugu where they discussed myriad of problems confronting Igbo including security and economic issues. They feared southeast could be under siege following recent movement of youths from northern states despite the Covid-19 pandemic lock-down.

The meeting however ended with a loud silence on politics of 2023. Barely 3 days after taking position on regional security and instruction to Houses of Assembly to expedite work on the bill to give the initiative a legal backing, the governors reverted to working with the Inspector General of Police on community policing which was their initial position.

The Igbo man seems to be battling with decisive indecision, discordant concord and absolute confusion. Although Buhari has spent only a year into his 2nd term in office, issues of 2023 are already creeping up in the polity. Subtle campaigns for 2023 presidency have begun and agitation for presidency to move south has begun. Southwest is gearing up for another turn with complete disregard for southeast and yet, governors and political leaders would meet and keep mum on the issue.

Indeed, controversy over which region should produce the next president is already an issue and every zone seems to have interest. North plans to keep the presidency after the 2 terms of President Buhari. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), is gearing up, with some saying he has an alliance with the ruling APC for power to return to the west through him in 2023.

There are also Prof Yemi Osinbajo, current vice-president; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who are among those touted to have interest in the highest office. They are from southwest.

South-south also seems interested, on the premise its son, Jonathan, was not given opportunity to serve 2 terms like others. Southeast, the only zone in the south yet to produce a president should be eyeing the position but seems lacklustre about it. Whenever issue of presidency of Igbo extraction comes up, it becomes difficult to decide whether southeast wants Igbo presidency, restructuring or Biafra. Known for individualism, most political leaders in southeast are driven by selfish tendencies and this has affected the people over the years.

Will a president of Igbo extraction be realised when people are not united and cannot speak with one voice and on top of it, are perceived to play bad politics? Apart former Anambra governor, Mr Peter Obi who genuinely selflessly fights for Igbo causes, and Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe, many other politicians seem nothing to write home about.

Politicians of APC appear under illusion that after Buhari's tenure in 2023, power will be handed over to the Igbo. But that is not the way politics is played in Nigeria or anywhere else. Southeast has missed so many chances. The people seem to be groping in the dark since return to democracy in 1999. Aside the great Dr Azikiwe and Dr Alex Ekwueme, the present crop of Igbo political leaders appear weak and lacking what it takes to negotiate profitably for their people. Most clearly seek selfish interests.

BUHARI’S 2ND TERM
It would be recalled that before Buhari won 2nd term, a powerful delegation of Igbo APC leaders led by Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, endorsed him for another term in office. They said the President did enough to merit a 2nd term. That delegation comprised former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, who represented Rochas Okorocha before they fell out; serving members of APC in the last national assembly, former governors, former ministers, members of the then national working committee and national executive committee of APC.

They endorsed Buhari without negotiating terms of endorsement. Many tagged them naive. There was no question of what Buhari would do for Ndigbo during his 2nd term. They were happy the president received them. That was not the first time Igbo leaders would play daft. Since 1999, southeast has been all out for PDP. It supported former President Jonathan to the moon and back in 2015 but Jonathan lost the election. South-east also lost.

Then the ‘Pharaoh who did not know Joseph’ came into power and the fate of south-east deteriorated from playing 3rd and 4th fiddle to no fiddle at all. That has been the situation till date. To make matters worse, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, tend to be making things more impossible for the Igbo. Due to activities of this group, many would not trust the Igbo and would rather not have anything to do with them.

Of course, nothing was wrong with endorsing President Buhari for another term in office but what is there for the Igbo leaders in APC? What were their terms for supporting Buhari? He won another term in office and recently marked one year in office in his 2nd term. Will he address the Igbo question? Will he care to do that when he knows that aside APC members, majority of Igbo did not vote for him?

DISREGARDING THE IGBO
Presidential request for senate approval of 22.7bn dollars loan from China’s Exim bank recently received their nod. The loan, according to President Buhari, would be invested in improvement of infrastructure. He said the loan was to “ensure prompt implementation of projects under the borrowing plan with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation, poverty reduction through social safety nets programmes, governance and financial management reforms, among others.

Details revealed Southeast was excluded from the projects. Available details indicate Southwest will get $200m; South-South (excluding Edo) $4,270m; North West $6,372m; Northeast $300m; North Central $6,531m and $5,853.9m reserved for general expenses. This has set the Southeast zone grumbling.

Authorities appear indifferent to the Igbo question. In the midst of these, the self-serving nature of Igbo has not helped matters. They work for their individual pockets. If Igbo APC leaders who endorsed Buhari believed he would hand over to southeast, did they discuss that with him? Or were they happy that South East has least number of states in Nigeria, least Senators, least House of Reps members, least number of State Houses of Assembly members, least Ministers at federal level, least revenue allocation, least federal presence or investment, least local governments, least wards and the least of everything in Nigeria?

The endorsers commended Buhari on efforts he was making to ensure development in south-east. Railways were mapped out across states in Nigeria; south-east got none. South-east was never given any position of consequence in the present administration. What projects have been sited in Igboland to create jobs? What developmental programmes have been considered for South East? Or don’t Ndigbo have resources and manpower to lead the nation? With slow pace of work on 2nd Niger Bridge, will it be completed soon or used for another campaign in 2023? In the past, it used to be Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo but now, its Hausa, Yoruba, South-South, then Igbo.

GENERAL GOWON
Not long ago, General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s wartime Head of State, said he does not have any problem if power shifts to Igbo for the 2023 Presidency as long as doing so would enhance peace. Answering a question on agitation by south easterners that Igbo produce the President in 2023, Gowon said, “If doing so will bring peace, it should be done; if the people so desire.”

He added “There was a time PDP started rotational presidency, if that was continued, maybe Igbo would have produced a President but that didn’t happen. If that can be done now, I don’t have a problem with it. Anybody can govern. There are many people in Nigeria, if God gives them and they will govern with fear of God and love for Nigerians, we will make desired progress.” This statement by Gowon was later construed to mean Igbos have hired Gowon to campaign for Igbo presidency which Ohanaeze denied.

SELFISHNESS
Pronounced disunity and infighting among Igbo would make it difficult for them to make any kind of progress in politics. Southeast APC leaders never showcased what Buhari promised Igbo and from all indications, in the next 20 years, an Igbo man may not rule Nigeria. Other major ethnic groups have schemed to dominate political power.

When pro-Biafra agitators started, the idea was to bring the Igbo question to the fore and many supported them but along the line, it was clear the agitation became a personal business enterprise. Many believe the whole thing was mismanaged. Today followers of IPOB have done nothing about herdsmen invasion of southeast. This is where they ought to have been very effective because foreigners have invaded Igboland and IPOB has done nothing about it.

PRESIDENCY OF 2023
As 2023 approaches, nationalities across Nigeria are once again strategizing and negotiating within parties under which they hope to realise their dream. Igbo, whose position have remained precarious in the Nigerian political landscape don’t seem to be doing anything. They have not started talking seriously about 2023. They have taken it for granted that power should be transmitted to them.

From PDP to APC, Igbo have been missing chances. It would be recalled that by the time Jonathan was warming up for another term in office, he made a million promises which he hoped would be fulfilled in his 2nd term. To support him, former Anambra governor, Mr Peter Obi decamped from All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to PDP.

And for Jonathan’s 2nd term, Igbo leaders made up of then Secretary to FG, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; then Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Hope Uzodinma; then Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu; then National Publicity Secretary PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh; Mr Ifeanyi Ubah and former Governor Peter Obi stormed Dover Hotel at Lekki Phase 1 to woo Ndigbo Lagos for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 presidential bid.

At Dover Hotel, they met eminent and prominent Igbo leaders, namely then President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey; President Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya. O. Anya; President Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike; former Chairman Diamond Bank, Chief Pascal Dozie; former Governor Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu(rtd); former President Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr Raymond Obieri; Eze Ndigbo Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba and then President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Fabian Onwughalu and many other eminent Igbos in Lagos.

They campaigned support for Jonathan’s 2nd term in office. But Jonathan lost the election. The Igbo have been nowhere since then. Or don’t Ndigbo have resources and manpower to lead the nation? Unless the people are united, 2023 will be an illusion because the reckoning system has changed .

IGBO MUST SUCCEED BUHARI — OHANAEZE
Ohanaeze Ndigbo recently renewed its quest for a Nigerian of Igbo extraction to succeed Buhari in 2023. The group’s Spokesman, Chuks Ibegbu said demand for South East to produce the next occupant of the topmost office in the land was in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play, as the move would strengthen unity and promote sense of belonging.

Ibegbu said Ohanaeze would not relent in promoting issues that engender unity and development, as the current advocacy falls within its precincts. He urged all political stakeholders nationwide to ensure the presidency was zoned to Igboland in 2023 as an indication of the seriousness in the claim of “one Nigeria.”

According to Ibegbu : “In 1999, the ticket was Olusegun Obasanjo versus Olu Falae; In 2007, it was the late Yar’Adua versus Muhammadu Buhari; and in 2019, it was Buhari versus Abubakar Atiku. So in 2023, it should be Igbo versus Igbo. With this arrangement, Nigerians can then make their choice among the array of Igbo candidates.” He also assured that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is fully committed to restructuring of Nigeria, adding that such would be the ultimate panacea to its multifarious challenges.

IT'S TURN OF IGBO PRESIDENCY IN 2023, —YAKASAI
Alhaji Tanko Yakasai was amongst those that declared unequivocally it should be the turn of Igbo to produce the next President of Nigeria. Yakasai based his declaration on the logic that other regions and zones have ruled the country, except the Igbo of the South-east.

Yakasai, in an interview said: “Nigeria has 3 major blocks. Two of these namely, the North and West have had opportunity of producing the President. Therefore, Igbos have a good argument because out of the 3 siblings, two have already succeeded at producing the President but the Igbos have not. “They (the Igbo) deserve the sympathy of all Nigerians for them to get it in 2023 or later.

My opinion is that this is not a matter that one will lie down and think it will come to him. Effort is needed. How do you go about it? This can only be done by persuasion to convince other Nigerians about need for an Igbo to emerge President of Nigeria. “I for one – I am in support of it. I did it before in the era of NPN (National Party of Nigeria) when we had arrangement that the next president after late President Shehu Shagari would come from the East.

We would have settled this problem long ago if not for the military intervention. So, I spoke in support of Igbo presidency. I did not want to fix a date because I am not in position to do that. I said the Igbo should go out and lobby other Nigerians and try to get their support to produce the president in 2023 and where they are not able to do that in 2023 they will put a trajectory for them to produce the President next time.”

AMBASSADOR GEORGE OBIOZOR
In his own reaction, former ambassador to USA, George Obiozor said: “The Igbo thing is not about the Igbo being president. Who told you if an Igbo man becomes president, there will be no more problems? If the Igbo man is partial, if the Igbo man is parochial, if the Igbo man is biased, then people will also vote against him.

What Nigeria needs is a great leader, a good leader. In fact, Nigeria has reached a point where leadership of the country is not determined by where you come from but ability in terms of what you can offer the country, what you can do. If a leader is good, you don’t even ask where he comes from. Countries that have good leaders don’t bother about where the leaders come from.

But when a country has problem such as we and nothing is being done as quickly as possible as a response to national crises, then what do you think people would do? “Everything is lopsided in Nigeria. Take a look yourself at any institution you like and examine the level of equity in it. Look at the issue of federal revenue allocation. Look at issue of revenue from oil and how it is shared. The details will shock you.

Go and find the list of appointments in Nigeria in different areas. It will shock you. Go and see even list of retirements in some of the agencies. It will shock you. So, the issue we are talking about is emanating from failure of leadership and insensitivity in the way we do things.

“Every zone has 6 states but South-East has 5. Is that good? And if they speak ,you’d say they are talking about marginalisation. A just leader will not leave things that way. If that visible difference is not marginalisation, then what is it? It affects everything else: revenue sharing, membership in federal house, membership in senate and everything affecting south east. When people are complaining, a good leader should look into what is going on and redress injustice whether real or imagined.

“The average Igbo knows he is suffering because the civil war over 50 years ago never ended. There is no doubt that the war didn’t end. It continued in other ways. People are asking what Igbos want in Nigeria and I tell you, Igbos want justice. People who ask what Igbos want are so prejudiced and narrow-minded. What the Igbos want is unity but not unity of slaves and masters.

“Leaders are failing the people, they are not speaking with one voice. People are putting blame on them but you have to see that even these are victims of the system. And what voice are you looking for? A people cannot speak with one voice when they have been intimidated and frightened as the people of South East. The South-East people have been frightened by the system. How can they control what they didn’t create?

Igbo and their leaders are victims of the system they find themselves. That is the lopsidedness of the federal system. Citizens of South-East are in near-permanent disadvantage. So, you have to look at the situation in a wholistic way.”

IGBO ARE TREATED AS CONQUERED PEOPLE —MBAZULIKE AMAECHI
1st Republic politician, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi had this to say: “More than any other race in Nigeria, the South-East, the Igbo have been dealt with, especially since the end of the civil war. They were treated at all times as a conquered people. Igbo have been treated as slaves.

During the Shagari era, South-East got a reprieve. But simply because of a feeling South-East might get into power, they staged a military coup and took over government. Everybody knew it at that time. So, Igbos have been treated as slaves in this country and it is time to put a stop to it because the other areas are beginning to sympathise with Igbos.

Look, if we don’t come to terms with the Igbo question, there will be a terrible implosion or explosion. People are collectively suffering. They are collectively being punitively treated. They are victims. Even those who go to Abuja to collect hand-outs are all victims. They are suffering together.”

OUR PROBLEMS STARTED FROM NOT HAVING FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS —MARIA OKWOR
An associate of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in the 2nd republic and leader of Igbo Women Assembly, Maria Okwor had this to say: “What we had in the past worked better for us. I’m talking about regions and the time people like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Awolowo held sway.

Every region developed at its own pace and contributed to the centre. Now, reverse is the case. They just give you anything they like from the centre. This presidential system we operate today, I have always maintained it is too wasteful and encourages corruption. See what is happening in our country: imposition of candidates and leadership failure. Nigeria has not got it right with leadership.

Nigerians are not allowed to choose those they want to lead them. They just impose people on the electorate and when they assume office, they don’t care about anybody except themselves, their families and friends. Some will even tell you that whether you vote or not, a winner must emerge. We have been battling with square pegs in round holes. That is the origin of our problems.

The South-East is on the spot. The situation is dicey. Igbo cannot continue being slaves in this country.”

SOURCE (abridged):ww.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/2023-what-counts-against-igbo-presidency/

I'll advice the Igbos to jettison whatever ambitions they have towards the presidency for now and throw their weight behind the current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He's the man for the job.

We all know that the PDP won't field an Igbo candidate, neither will the APC.

We also know that even Igbos will not vote for another Igbo candidate.

No insult here, check the trend of voting in Nigeria. There were Igbo contenders in 2019, but the Igbos preferred to Atikulate.

So, the chances of an Igbo winning a Presidential election in Nigeria isn't slim, it is non existent.

The best bet for the South of Nigeria is to back Yemi Osinbajo.

The best bet for the whole of Nigeria, come 2023, is to back Osinbajo.

I did not read the post but one thing I know have always against them is their kinsmen.

Weda igbo,isoko,Ijaw,yoruba
Nigeria system can’t work

Nyamyri flat.heads can never be president of this country, they shall continue being second class citizens!!

I don't know if your are in igbo people mind that know they are not working towards 2023 presidency

Rochas was the first to declare interest he is an Igbo mam

Orji kalu has been receiving visitor ..United abia APC , uniting South East APC ( which is the only zone that can be said to be United in apc )

Onu is actively consulting

In PDP , lots of igbos are working behind closed doors

But u people would not let igbos hear word ...

In Lagos alone u have at least three candidates ....some lagosians are against are the leading vocal voice against tinubu

Don't even want to mention ekiti APC that deputy and governor don't see eye to eye

Is it Oyo ? ...or osun that they are fighting ?

Ogun don't even go there

But it's igbos u hear are not United ...what's this all about

When pro-Biafra agitators started, the idea was to bring the Igbo question to the fore and many supported them but along the line, it was clear the agitation became a personal business enterprise. Many believe the whole thing was mismanaged. Today followers of IPOB have done nothing about herdsmen invasion of southeast. This is where they ought to have been very effective because foreigners have invaded Igboland and IPOB has done nothing about it.

The writer is a yoloba muslim.

The scam Cownu is pulling off is worse than that of Hushpuppy.

FrLukas:
I'll advice the Igbos to jettison whatever ambitions they have towards the presidency for now and throw their weight behind the current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He's the man for the job.

We all know that the PDP won't field an Igbo candidate, neither will the APC.

We also know that even Igbos will not vote for another Igbo candidate.

No insult here, check the trend of voting in Nigeria. There were Igbo contenders in 2019, but the Igbos preferred to Atikulate.

So, the chances of an Igbo winning a Presidential election in Nigeria isn't slim, it is non existent.

The best bet for the South of Nigeria is to back Yemi Osinbajo.

The best bet for the whole of Nigeria, come 2023, is to back Osinbajo.

....South east or north can keep it.

Igbos should stop dancing like leaves on the sea, what did they want biafra or presidency.

Today followers of IPOB have done nothing about herdsmen invasion of southeast. This is where they ought to have been very effective because foreigners have invaded Igboland and IPOB has done nothing about it.

What does this one expect IPOB to do against herdsmen with AK47? IPOB is not armed. Security of the South East is the job of government, not IPOB.

People keep talking about Igbo Presidency without looking at where this Presidency has been. The South West have had 8 years of this Presidency with Obasanjo, the North will have had 8 years by 2023. Yet, the Nortg and SW still want the Presidency in 2023. That shows everyone that the Presidency of Nigeria cannot fulfil anyone. The same people who have been holding this presidency for long or short periods cannot tell anyone how that office uplifted their lives.

The Presidency of Nigeria is more about bragging rights than anything else. I have nothing against my fellow Igbo becoming President but let the Igbo nation understand that the office of President is just a temporary position that does not add much value to anybodys life.

The Igbo nation should be talking about far more important things like restructuring or seperation, not the useless office of President of Nigeria that has done nothing but turn Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world

omenka:


The writer is a yoloba muslim.

The scam Cownu is pulling off is worse than that of Hushpuppy.

bro this one ohaneze is drumming for 2023 SE presidency, please can you help me ask them which of their sons is credible enough to contest for presidency in 2023.
Please omit Peter Obi cos that one is a failure already.
Or probably Atiku cos since he's married to an Igbo woman then that automatically makes him Igbo.

cc Igbobymarriage

EbenezerTriumph:
bro this one ohaneze is drumming for 2023 SE presidency, please can you help me ask them which of their sons is credible enough to contest for presidency in 2023.
Please omit Peter Obi cos that one is a failure already.
Or probably Atiku cos since he's married to an Igbo woman then that automatically makes him Igbo.

cc Igbobymarriage

You're asking the wrong question. The question is: which party are they making the demands on?

All the while they've been whining about the presidency, I've not seen a single one of them summon the courage to even make the faintest demand of presidential ticket from the party they've laboured and slaved for for over 20 years!!

They're simply jokers.

FrLukas:
I'll advice the Igbos to jettison whatever ambitions they have towards the presidency for now and throw their weight behind the current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He's the man for the job.

We all know that the PDP won't field an Igbo candidate, neither will the APC.

We also know that even Igbos will not vote for another Igbo candidate.

No insult here, check the trend of voting in Nigeria. There were Igbo contenders in 2019, but the Igbos preferred to Atikulate.

So, the chances of an Igbo winning a Presidential election in Nigeria isn't slim, it is non existent.

The best bet for the South of Nigeria is to back Yemi Osinbajo.

The best bet for the whole of Nigeria, come 2023, is to back Osinbajo.

Because you think that Igbo nation are all drunk

Obiobidgbo14:


Because you think that Igbo nation are all drunk

Leave him, let the ewedu muslim monkey continue to fo0l himself.

Bloody yoruba minorities who hardly win national elections since 1959 wants to smuggle themselves into presidency. Serious knocks will land on their empty ewedu coneheads in 2023.

And which major political party will give their presidential ticket to SE?

May be mushroom parties sha

History has proven SE is inconsequential in Nigeria politics. They can continue their Biafra or death agitation

helinues:


And which major political party will give their presidential ticket to SE?

May be mushroom parties sha

Apga now.

The Igbos should support the South West to win the race

omenka:


The writer is a yoloba muslim.

The scam Cownu is pulling off is worse than that of Hushpuppy.

How can ipob do something about herdsmen when u label them a terror group ?

And u say u have sense ... what has your failed tribe done against fulani herdsman

IamWonderful:
Igbos should stop dancing like leaves on the sea, what did they want biafra or presidency.

What do yourba want restructuring , oduduwa or presidency

EbenezerTriumph:
bro this one ohaneze is drumming for 2023 SE presidency, please can you help me ask them which of their sons is credible enough to contest for presidency in 2023.
Please omit Peter Obi cos that one is a failure already.
Or probably Atiku cos since he's married to an Igbo woman then that automatically makes him Igbo.

cc Igbobymarriage

Me someone from your tribe who is more person of integrity than peter obi ..just name one

There is no Nigerian politician today better to be president than peter obi ...but sentiment would blind of u

The list of igbos that can be president are endless

Igbochief001:

What do yourba want restructuring , oduduwa or presidency

Everything, but we are not agitating for any, we are not like greedy igdos that want all and gone berserk for all.

IamWonderful:
Everything, but we are not agitating for any, we are not like greedy igdos that want all and gone berserk for all.

Lol so the people doing oduduwa republic are doing what ? ..the people that went to Uno are doing what

Lagos sueing federal government is doing what

Bros removed the wood from Yoruba eyes before u remove the sand from Igbo eyes

I support Osibanjo for President come 2023.

Igbochief001:

Lol so the people doing oduduwa republic are doing what ? ..the people that went to Uno are doing what

Lagos sueing federal government is doing what

Bros removed the wood from Yoruba eyes before u remove the sand from Igbo eyes

What are you saying, snap out of your illusion and bitterness, do you know what agitation means, we never fought or protested for any of those things, we are peaceful and accommodative people, we believe in the rule of law, not unnecessary bickering and blabbering of bitterness and cheap blackmail done by you people

IamWonderful:
What are you saying, snap out of your illusion and bitterness, do you know what agitation means, we never fought or protested for any of those things, we are peaceful and accommodative people, we believe in the rule of law, not unnecessary bickering and blabbering of bitterness and cheap blackmail done by you people

Lol ipob never broke any law , protest is among the fundamental human rights