By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The National Forum for South East Presidency (NFSEP), a coalition advocating for emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023, has urged other geo-political zones to support the project in order to help the region erase the memory of civil war and feeling of marginalisation.

NFSEP, while also appealing to all political parties to field Southeasterners as candidates on 2023 presidential poll, posited that allowing a southeasterner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure was expected to end in 2023, would whittle the power and existence of secessionist groups in the region.

The President of the coalition, Dr Patrick Enuneku, who disclosed this at the group’s zonal meeting and award presentations held at Enugu, pointed out that people of the zone believed strongly in unity and progress of the country and had supported other geopolitical zones to produce president.

According to Enuneku, with the President of Igbo extraction, it would be easier for the country to witness massive socioeconomic development, national integration, overcome insecurity, recession and secessionists agitations other challenges due to the intellectual power peaceful disposition of igbo people.

Earlier, the Zonal Chairman of NFSEP, Hon. Chinedu Chibuzo Ukwu, stressed that the major objective of the meeting was to brainstorm on ways forward for the people of the zone in Nigeria politics as well as to honour some illustrious sons and daughters of the zone with awards, for their contributions towards championing the cause of equity, fairness and justice in the Nigerian federation.


“This struggle is to demand that a South Easterner becomes the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces come June 2023 irrespective of party affiliation. It is not a greed neither is it asking for the impossible nor selfishness. It is in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice. Going by the history of this country, it is clear and non negotiable that it is the turn of the South Eastern states to become the President,” he added.

Among the awardees were Prof. Peter Umeadi, a presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); Rt. Hon. Francis Nwaifuru, the Speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly; Senator Joseph Ogba; Lady Juliet Anaeme; Rt. Hon. Enebe Cletus Onyekwelu; and Engr. Albert Agulanna.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Peter Umeadi, represented by Hon. Chinedu Ukachukwu, pledged to continue to contribute for the betterment of humanity.

“Upon receipt of this award my message to the members of the National Forum for South East Presidency (NFSEP) is to stand up and respect the ballots. We should raise our voices and call for and support free and fair elections, as the only viable way to sustainable development in a democratic federal republic of Nigeria. Votes cast at elections should be respected, counted and announced as cast. The tally from the voting booths should reflect the will of the people as expressed in the ballot boxes across the relevant voting constituencies,” Prof Peter Umeadi maintained.

The group also recognized the APGA presidential aspirant, Professor Peter Umeadi as the Patron of NFSEP for Southeast zone.

History
I remember a time in this country when all the six ministers in Jonathan's kitchen cabinet were all Igbo's. Ayim Pius Ayim was SGF, Ngozi Okonjo Iwealla was in charge
finance, Emeka Wogu was in Labour and productivity, Berth
Nnaji was in Power and Energy, Dieziani Madueke was the
powerful minister for oil. The six of them outside the Federal
Executive Council would meet and decide what and what not to be discussed at the larger FEC. Whatever they decided
would eventually be the position of government. In 6 years,
this was the situation. Okiro and Onovo had the police under their control. Ihejerika and later Minimah controlled the Army.
These powerful Igbo's could do and undo. Nigeria was in their pockets. Rather than care about the poor Igbo chaps
scattered all over the country, they were busy diverting billions of naira into their accounts at home and abroad.
The 2nd Niger Bridge, they didn't do. They shared the money. The
Lagos/Calabar rail lines passing through 9 States, 3 of them
in the SE, they were not bothered. They refused to pay the
Chinese the Counter part fund. They shared the money. Enugu/
Onitsha, Aba/PH and other roads of economic importance to
their fellow Igbo's, they abandoned. Who is to blame? Who
Was marginalising the Igbo's that time? You had your chance, you bungled
it.
There was only 1 Yoruba minister worth mentioning at that time, Akinwunmi Adesina. He was in Agric, the yoruba did called or complain of been marginalized. His budget was
less than 1% while Emeka Wogu in Labour had over 10% for
his ministry, Ayim had unlimited access to the treasury for the
benefit of himself and family members. The poor Igbo guys
meant nothing to him. If an Igbo becomes President
tomorrow after bubu, will there be any difference? The
Igbo man will marginalise his fellow Igbo people.....