Northern elders have advised Igbo not to see 2023 as the only time they can produce president of Nigeria, saying that they should not make enemies and spoil other opportunities in near future.

Specifically, two prominent northern elders, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, who is the chairman of Northern Elders Council (NEC) and Mr. Anthony Sani of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and one time Spokesman and Secretary General of ACF respectively advised that Igbo nation should not play politics of do or die affairs in the 2023 presidential race because it is not the end of the road for them.

In a joint statement, replying to Professor Farooq Kparogi on his advocacy for President of Igbo extraction, the two northern elders noted that after the civil war which ended in 1970, the Igbo were rehabilitated, reconstructed and reintegrated into Nigerian national socio-economic system which made them felt belonged in nation building.

The elders further argued that for Igbo to feel belonged in national development, they have been occupying high ranking political positions since the country returned to democracy, and therefore advised them to refrain from politics of threatening leave Nigeria if denied 2023 presidency.

“The end of the civil war ushered a No Victor, No Vanquished pedestal, and gave birth to the 3Rs of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reintegration, aimed at inclusiveness of the Igbos into the Nigeria National Unity.

Since then, there have been consciously directed efforts to make the 3Rs more achievable. In fact, both the military and democratic governments have given Igbos fair representations in the Federal government and it’s agencies, such as Vice President, Senate Presidents, Speakers, SGF, Coordinating Ministers, Service Chiefs, CBN Governors and Chairman of the ruling party.

“This solid integration of the Igbo into the Nigeria affairs had enabled them to settle unperturbed in various parts of the Country, giving them the unlimited latitude to pursue their business activities, which currently run into substantial net-worth’s.

“Similarly, there are projects situated by the Federal Government of Nigeria (in pursuance of policy of Reconstruction) in Igbo land (particularly the construction of the second Niger Bridge) to amplify and demonstrate Government’s concern for the South-Eastern Region.

“Conversely, when the Igbo threaten to leave Nigeria, if an Igbo President does not emerge in 2023; one wonders the wisdom and the basis of this agitation without facts and figures to justify the intuition.

‘Igbo, like any other Nigerians, are entitled to contest for the office of the President of the Nation under the current multiparty democracy.

To that end, they are expected to devise their winning game plans and use that to convince the Nigerian Electorates to vote for one of their own.
“The constitution stipulates that a presidential candidate must meet two important requirements to win majority and spread of votes by securing at least 25% of the votes in each of at least two thirds of the states; currently 24 states of Nigeria.

“This is true and balanced democracy. As neither the North nor South of the Country have 24 states, the intent of the provisions is to compel the nation to come together to elect the President for the whole Country, in order to promote the needed Unity.

“But when Igbo insist to produce the president in 2023 through affirmative action (ie the use of threats, of leaving the union) and not through the constitutionally laid democratic process; one begins to wonder if that would not amount to playing Denegeld’s theory of rewarding bad behavior, that comes from threats and intimidation, which brings about the avoidable mistrust.

“Igbo should design their game plans and canvass for the needed electoral mandate by taking advantage of the multiparty democracy. This is because democracy is contest of ideas and reasons. It is never bull fight or victim playing, and in doing so, not regard 2023 as the final hour.

“Those who seek to redefine democracy, which is premised on the triple foundation of Justice, Liberty and Common Decency, may as well end up reinventing the wheel or redefining the truth”.

The statement said.
Making reference to Professor Kparogi’s advocacy for President of Igbo extraction, the northern elders said, “There can be no cavil with the significance of the submissions by Farooq Kparogi, which he considers as needed to bring about the desired unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence that is sine qua non for meaningful socio-economic development of Nigeria. This is because a diverse country as Nigeria, tends to be fissiparous and constantly pulled in different directions by centrifugal forces.

“It is against this backdrop, that Nigeria has instituted many policies like quota system of admissions, and federal character in distribution of access to national employment, projects and major contracts, for the expressed purpose of promoting sense of belonging in the polity. This comes with inclusiveness of the diverse people in the belief that it is very possible to make the most of our God given diversity, thereby ensuring that every segment of the nation is given a true sense of belonging.

“Similar countries have also attempted to introduce policies with the objective of nation binding. For example, Ethiopia, which has never been colonized, practices ethnic based federalism, yet it has prevalent challenges of nation building. Somalia, a country with only a few ethnic groups and predominantly singular faith, yet faces the challenges of nation building.

Lebanon, on the other hand, has policies for balance of its religious diversity. Where the Christians produce the president, the Sunni would produce the Prime Minister, and the Shi’ite would produce the speaker. Yet, they have governance challenges. All these go to show that, the tasks of nation building, go beyond mere balancing of public offices as an end in itself.

“All these are also a testimony to the fact that, though politics goes beyond ideals, it also includes who gets what, how and when, because it is driven by group interest, group goal, group coherence, group cohesion and even group conspiracy. Good governance is an art of balancing competing demands amongst not only constituents but also among socio-economic sectors; and what unites a nation, as they constitute national ideals and shared values”.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/igbo-should-not-see-2023-as-only-time-to-be-president-northern-elders/

Chai, see punching.

Meaning that.. the north is not ready to hand over power to the Igbo in 2023..



Waste of money and time ,,. Peter obi and co

South west all the way ...

.....I guess they wanna crack joke a little

So let me just laugh.

Till we miss the chance of assuming power come 2023

But this isn't news na.

Ahh why are Igbos still contesting for election? i think they are agitating for biafra. And they have not present anyone tangible so far

Every Cat and Rat has turn Igbo to Punching Bag!!!


UpperCut here and there!

To be fair, they should really be considered for the presidential position but because of the preconceived enmity, animosity and personal vendetta certain people have towards them won't give room for that.

South east deserve the presidency period.

if they don't get it,they might mk it ungovernable for anyone who will

The idea make sense but dey execute d talk terribly. Dem just go make matta worse. Dem suppose to don read the statement like ten times con even give anoda person wen no be northerner to read d statement before dem release am

Hisbah21:
Ahh why are Igbos still contesting for election? i think they are agitating for biafra. And they have not present anyone tangible so far

They're Clueless!!! Today Biafra! Tomorrow Peter Obi for Zoo's president!!!

Irrelevant 5%ter that's think they can Insult or threaten their way to the top!

Igbo were rehabilitated, reconstructed and reintegrated

Like drug addicts. for people that cannot read, the summary of it all is that igbos should accept speaker of house of representatives, they can never be president in 2023, accept our condolences

FoolaniHellman:



They're Clueless!!! Today Biafra! Tomorrow Peter Obi for Zoo's president!!!

Irrelevant 5%ter that's think they can Insult or threaten their way to the top!

correct

But the Iragbiji hoodlum can see it as a do or die affair?

helinues:
Chai, see punching.

Comrade those illiterate & terrorist never see anything!!!

Abdul05:
Meaning that.. the north are not ready to hand over power to the Igbo in 2023..



Waste of money and time ,,. Peter obi and co

South west all the way ...

See diz John bull. Dem dey talk of holding power another 8 years you dey think say no igbo mean yoruba presidency

FoolaniHellman:



Comrade those illiterate & terrorist never see anything!!!

Pesin wen you dey quote dey hope for Tinubu presidency. Una two be 3 and 10 but una dey tink say una be 5 and 6

FoolaniHellman:



Comrade those illiterate & terrorist never see anything!!!

Na the way you lay your bed stuffs. Imagine a region being turned into Aboniki balm where people dey apply anytime to relief their pains.

Oh lala
Oh my mynd

osinbanjoisaliar:


Pesin wen you dey quote dey hope for Tinubu presidency. Una two be 3 and 10 but una dey tink say una be 5 and 6

Even with pidgin, you still can't express yourself in the way others can understand without struggling to read your bunkum.

Choi

You can't win election by turning everyone to your enemy. Election is not a bull contest

Surely Ighos are important.

Every idiot talks about them in the hell hole called Nigeria.

There must be something about Igbos.

Even Tunde Bakare is losing sleep over Igbos.

helinues:


Even with pidgin, you still can't express yourself in the way others can understand without struggling to read your bunkum.

Choi

You too get bad mouth

Ttalk:
You can't win election by turning everyone to your enemy. Election is not a bull contest

We have told them that 2023 would be a great opportunity for them to listen to all the albums they have been releasing but too busy to listen to them themselves.

The opportunity is here for them to know if they have been singing sweet melody or wack songs

helinues:


Na the way you lay your bed stuffs. Imagine a region being turned into Aboniki balm where people dey apply anytime to relief their pains.

Oh lala
Oh my mynd

Make I show you sumtin
U understand diz 1

Built2last:
Surely Ighos are important.

Every idiot talks about them in the hell hole called Nigeria.

There must be something about Igbos.

Even Tunde Bakare is losing sleep over Igbos.

Important yet people are shading them regarding the presidency..

They are simply telling you guys to grow some balls.

Btw, people are only returning all the Bunkum Igbo's have thrown to others, this na just a tip of an iceberg

If they give Igbo ticket, the north already said they will declare independent, I think that's what we need now.
Let everyone go first.

osinbanjoisaliar:


Make I show you sumtin
U understand diz 1

You for come up with something more creative than this

It should be the other way around, the north should not see Nigeria as a do or die affair

helinues:


We have told them that 2023 would be a great opportunity for them to listen to all the albums they have been releasing but too busy to listen to them themselves.

The opportunity is here for them to know if they have been singing the sweet melody or wack songs

Seriously many of their youth are filled with emotion and they can't hide their bigotry which further weaken their chances in 2023. Besides, they have drawn neutral minds to take a supporting stand with those they hate

BigRocky:
South east deserve the presidency period.

if they don't get it,they might mk it ungovernable for anyone who will

Let them try @ emboldened and see the consequences.

You do not need to tell a blind man it's raining

Ttalk:


Seriously many of their youth are filled with emotion and they can't hide their bigotry which further weaken their chances in 2023. Besides, they have drawn neutral minds to take a supporting stand with those they hate

Egos, emotions, hatred and lack of foresight have been their problems.

They are not patience enough to pour water on ground and wait to match the wet ground later. If not now, then never.