Who wears the cap in our political journey?

Alex Ekwueme has been a stabilizing factor holding the fort for ndigbo at the national level due to his exposure and experience in the Nigerian political landscape. He was an accomplished Architect, a former Vice President and the founding chairman of PDP. Now that he is no more, who does the Igbo rally around for guidance and experience?

We had Zik, Michael Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Ironsi, Ojukwu who played their bit at various dimensions in strengthening the political will of the igbo. We then had Alex, now it naturally behoves on the following statesmen to guide the current crop of Igbo politicians and speak the conscience of the Igbo nation:

1. Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.)
The following puts him at the fore front in guiding Igbo politicians, Igbo sociocultural organizations and speaking for the Igbo people as far as Nigeria is concerned:

- An accomplished Naval Officer unrivaled in his time.
- Former Governor of former nations capital - Lagos.
- Former Governor of Niger State. Ukiwe Expressway in Minna is named after him.
- Former Chief of General Staff (De facto Vice President) during babangida government.

Ukiwe became a folk hero and a political martyr when he challenged babangida's move in making Nigeria (a secular state by constitution) an Islamic country by registering her into OIC. This confrontation by ukiwe cost him his office whereby he was forced to resign.

Ever since his exit from the corridors of power, he has been active and progressive in trade and industry. He unsuccessfully ran for presidency in 2003 and still plays his bit in nation building.

2. Chief Emeka Anyaoku
The following makes him an authority for political guidance and an igbo voice to the general polity at the national level:

- former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations
- An accomplished diplomat of the United Nations Organization

After retiring from active international diplomacy, Emeka remained active as a traditional ruler in his community. He has remained consistent in diplomacy towards achieving a better Nigeria.

So far, these are the two men I believe can guide and speak for the Igbo at the National level.

Any inputs or reservations? Feel free to share!


cc: OAM4J

Let's tell ourselves the truth, Alex Ekwueme neither had influence on the Igbos nor speak for them at the federal level as you put it.

Even when Anambra his own state was set on fire, he never intervened and truth is that even if he did, nobody would've listened to him. Ekwueme and Zik never had claws on Ndigbo the way Ojukwu did.

Ekwueme was a great man though and may he RIP.

CaptainJeffry:
Let's tell ourselves the truth, Alex Ekwueme neither had influence on the Igbos nor speak for them at the federal level as you put it.

Even when Anambra his own state was set on fire, he never intervened and truth is that even if he did, nobody would've listened to him. Ekwueme and Zik never had claws on Ndigbo the way Ojukwu did.

Ekwueme was a great man though and may he RIP.

How can you be so sure that he didn't intervene when his state was on fire? What makes you think he didn't act on the background?

Ojukwu was a soldier while Ekwueme was an architect. These two aren't in any way the same, so their approach to issues too would differ.

Ekwueme was the diplomatic type. Ojukwu really wasn't. Yet they played their roles.

the cap perfectly fits Nnamdi Kanu

We have Nnamdi Kanu

Leadership is not given, it is earned. Zik and Ojukwu for instance earned their leadership in time past while Ekwueme was just a sitting duck with the ineffectual tag 'Igbo leader'. Please nobody should mention Nnamdi Kanu here. He is simply a chalartan and con-man that got exposed. Kanu singlehandedly betrayed and killed the Biafran Ideology and don't ask me how he did it.

Here is my list of people who fit to fill the role of Igbo leader based on natural ascendency and service in general to the Igbo nation.

Col Joseph Achuzia (rtd) Former Biafran war hero and pan-Igboist.

Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe Former Vice and chief of defence staff to General IBB.

Obi Chike Edozien Obi of Asaba and foremost Igbo traditional leader and uniting factor.

Sen. Chinedu Ekweremadu Current deputy Senate President and Igbo voice.

Emeka Anyaoku Former Commonwealth Sec. Gen. and international figure.

Mbazulike Amaechi 1st republic Minister and nationalist.

Rochas Okorocha Governor of Imo State and former Presidential aspirant.

Orji Uzor Kalu Former Governor of Abia state and business Entrepreneur.

Peter Obi Former Governor of Anambra state and politician.

Prof. Patrick Utomi Former Economic adviser to President Shagari and Presidential aspirant.

Sullivan Chime Former Governor of Enugu state.

Chibuike R Ameachi Former Governor of Rivers state and politician.

Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Former Nigerian finance minister and world bank head.

Innoson Chukwuma Industrialist and business Entrepreneur.

Prof. Chinedu Nebo Former vice-chancellor UNN.

Prof. Liyel Imoke Former Governor of Cross-River state.

Eastlink:
Please nobody should mention Nnamdi Kanu here. He is simply a chalartan and con-man that got exposed. Kanu singlehandedly killed the Biafran Ideology and don't ask me how he did it.-River state.

Nnamdi Kanu has never claimed to be an Igbo leader. He is the leader of a multi-ethnic independence movement of which Igbos are amongst. Unlike others you mentioned, Kanu has no interest in politics or political power. As for killing the Biafran ideology, Kanu took it to higher hights than anyone else since Ojukwu. The Biafran ideology is not something anyone can kill, only a superior ideology can kill another ideology

zendy:


Nnamdi Kanu has never claimed to be an Igbo leader. He is the leader of a multi-ethnic independence movement of which Igbos are amongst. Unlike others you mentioned, Kanu has no interest in politics or political power. As for killing the Biafran ideology, Kanu took it to higher hights than anyone else since Ojukwu. The Biafran ideology is not something anyone can kill, only a superior ideology can kill another ideology

Mr Zendy don't allow emotions becloud your judgement of Nnamdi Kanu. I agree it takes time to swallow the bitter truth about the fallout of IPOB, but in time you'll understand. Something can be dramatically killed when a noble idea (of which Biafra is) gets hijacked and built on hate, semitism, non-opposition and dictatorship. History will judge him fairly. But thank goodness the Igbo nation still survived the agenda of Kanu and his sponsors.

Eastlink:
Leadership is not given, it is earned. Zik and Ojukwu for instance earned their leadership in time past while Ekwueme was just a sitting duck with the ineffectual tag 'Igbo leader'. Please nobody should mention Nnamdi Kanu here. He is simply a chalartan and con-man that got exposed. Kanu singlehandedly betrayed and killed the Biafran Ideology and don't ask me how he did it.

Here is my list of people who fit to fill the role of Igbo leader based on natural ascendency and service in general to the Igbo nation.

Col Joseph Achuzia (rtd) Former Biafran war hero and pan-Igboist.

Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe Former Vice and chief of defence staff to General IBB.

Obi Chike Edozien Obi of Asaba and foremost Igbo traditional leader and uniting factor.

Sen. Chinedu Ekweremadu Current deputy Senate President and Igbo voice.

Emeka Anyaoku Former Commonwealth Sec. Gen. and international figure.

Mbazulike Amaechi 1st republic Minister and nationalist.

Rochas Okorocha Governor of Imo State and former Presidential aspirant.

Orji Uzor Kalu Former Governor of Abia state and business Entrepreneur.

Peter Obi Former Governor of Anambra state and politician.

Prof. Patrick Utomi Former Economic adviser to President Shagari and Presidential aspirant.

Sullivan Chime Former Governor of Enugu state.

Chibuike R Ameachi Former Governor of Rivers state and politician.

Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Former Nigerian finance minister and world bank head.

Innoson Chukwuma Industrialist and business Entrepreneur.

Prof. Chinedu Nebo Former vice-chancellor UNN.

Prof. Liyel Imoke Former Governor of Cross-River state.

Look at this talkative, Kanu scammed Ndigbo? Lol, I know the angle you are arriving at - You're jealous that a man of your age is been adored by almost the entire Igbo nation and respected by non-Igbos.

There was never any Biafra dream until he started agitating. Who took MASSOB seriously? Even Ojukwu was buried in a state funeral, a Nigerian flag was wrapped around his coffin - - HIM "Ojukwu" killed his own version of Biafra

Until kanu came, who took the Igbos seriously? Even our politicians started to indirectly use his influence to bargain on a better deal via restructuring, something your theorist and lilly livered "supposed Igbo leaders" can never ask from their northern masters.

Even at his death, he is still Igbos leader, and still well respected. To all those splinter Ipob groups that questioned his methods, what have they accomplished?? Life doesn't work at the way we all envisaged her to... even an organized Catalan couldn't secede. Nnamdi Kanu was the best Ndigbo had, until his place was invaded.

Guys check out the thieves, cowards and empty heads he's advocating as Igbo leaders - - Orji Uzor Kalu, like seriously

Zgyn:
Look at this talkative, Kanu scammed Ndigbo? Lol, I know the angle you are arriving at - You're jealous that a man of your age is been adored by almost the entire Igbo nation and respected by non-Igbos.

There was never any Biafra dream until he started agitating. Who took MASSOB seriously? Even Ojukwu was buried in a state funeral, a Nigerian flag was wrapped around his coffin - - HIM "Ojukwu" killed his own version of Biafra

Until kanu came, who took the Igbos seriously? Even our politicians started to indirectly use his influence to bargain on a better deal via restructuring, something your theorist and lilly livered "supposed Igbo leaders" can never ask from their northern masters.

Even at his death, he is still Igbos leader, and still well respected. To all those splinter Ipob groups that questioned his methods, what have they accomplished?? Life doesn't work at the way we all envisaged her to... even an organized Catalan couldn't secede. Nnamdi Kanu was the best Ndigbo had, until his place was invaded.

Guys check out the thieves, cowards and empty heads he's advocating as Igbo leaders - - Orji Uzor Kalu, like seriously

Is Kanu really dead?

Eastlink:
Mr Zendy don't allow emotions becloud your judgement of Nnamdi Kanu. I agree it takes time to swallow the bitter truth about the fallout of IPOB, but in time you'll understand. Something can be dramatically killed when a noble idea (of which Biafra is) gets hijacked and built on hate, semitism, non-opposition and dictatorship. History will judge him fairly. But thank goodness the Igbo nation still survived the agenda of Kanu and his sponsors.

Your problem is that you are one of those people who is focused on the messenger rather than the message.What was Kanu's agenda? Self determination and freedom of his people?

You talk about semitism, but semitism is not a bad thing. As for not allowing opposition or dictatorship, IPOB is Kanu's brainchild. He allowed to be the dictator of IPOB. Anyone who doesnt like it is not forced to belong to IPOB or subscribe to Kanu.

As for this talk about hate speech, frankly speaking, considering what Kanu's people have been through in Nigeria, people should honestly be thanking Kanu for using hate speech only.

1945 Jos Riots

1953 Kano massacre

1966 wholesale killings in the North in which over 50,000 easterners were butchared in cold blood.

Millions gone in a civil war.

And you are here talking Kanu's hate speech?

Boko haram slaughtering people, Herdsmen slaughtering people, cultists and militants slaughtering people. But your main headache is the hate speech from Kanu who has killed no one? What a joker

There is nothing for the Igbo nation to survive at the hands of Kanu which is not one million times worse than what they have survived for being part of the disaster called Nigeria

Eastlink:
Leadership is not given, it is earned. Zik and Ojukwu for instance earned their leadership in time past while Ekwueme was just a sitting duck with the ineffectual tag 'Igbo leader'. Please nobody should mention Nnamdi Kanu here. He is simply a chalartan and con-man that got exposed. Kanu singlehandedly killed the Biafran Ideology and don't ask me how he did it.

Here is my list of people who fit to fill the role of Igbo leader based on natural ascendency and service in general to the Igbo nation.

Col Achuzie (rtd) Former Biafran warlord and pan-Igboist.

Obi Chike Edozien Obi of Asaba and foremost Igbo traditional leader.

KANU is a separatist and freedom fighter. He has clout and strong diasporic followership despite his disappearance. However he isn't pro Nigerian.

Achuzie is pro biafran and so does not fit into the Nigerian Igbo discourse.

Ojukwu, if not for dropping Biafra and embracing Nigeria, would have been within the likes of achuzie and KANU.

Chike Edozien is indeed great but has little political clout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZWXvT7Xd4

Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe Former Vice and chief of defence staff to General IBB.

Ebitu should rise to the occassion and take the mantle of igbo leadership , the time is auspicious , Anyaoku would have been a fine leader but age is not on his side ,Ebitu seems to have experience, Age, clout and personality in his favor

Zgyn:
Look at this talkative, Kanu scammed Ndigbo? Lol, I know the angle you are arriving at - You're jealous that a man of your age is been adored by almost the entire Igbo nation and respected by non-Igbos.

There was never any Biafra dream until he started agitating. Who took MASSOB seriously? Even Ojukwu was buried in a state funeral, a Nigerian flag was wrapped around his coffin - - HIM "Ojukwu" killed his own version of Biafra

Until kanu came, who took the Igbos seriously? Even our politicians started to indirectly use his influence to bargain on a better deal via restructuring, something your theorist and lilly livered "supposed Igbo leaders" can never ask from their northern masters.

Even at his death, he is still Igbos leader, and still well respected. To all those splinter Ipob groups that questioned his methods, what have they accomplished?? Life doesn't work at the way we all envisaged her to... even an organized Catalan couldn't secede. Nnamdi Kanu was the best Ndigbo had, until his place was invaded.

Guys check out the thieves, cowards and empty heads he's advocating as Igbo leaders - - Orji Uzor Kalu, like seriously

God bless you.

Nnamdi Kanu brought the issue of Restructuring & True Federalism to the limelight.

None before and after him were/are able to shake the Caliphate to accept Restructuring.

zendy:


Your problem is that you are one of those people who is focused on the messenger rather than the message.What was Kanu's agenda? Self determination and freedom of his people?

You talk about semitism, but semitism is not a bad thing. As for not allowing opposition or dictatorship, IPOB is Kanu's brainchild. He allowed to be the dictator of IPOB. Anyone who doesnt like it is not forced to belong to IPOB or subscribe to Kanu.

As for this talk about hate speech, frankly speaking, considering what Kanu's people have been through in Nigeria, people should honestly be thanking Kanu for using hate speech only.

1945 Jos Riots

1953 Kano massacre

1966 wholesale killings in the North in which over 50,000 easterners were butchared in cold blood.

Millions gone in a civil war.

And you are here talking Kanu's hate speech?

Boko haram slaughtering people, Herdsmen slaughtering people, cultists and militants slaughtering people. But your main headache is the hate speech from Kanu who has killed no one? What a joker

There is nothing for the Igbo nation to survive at the hands of Kanu which is not one million times worse than what they have survived for being part of the disaster called Nigeria

God bless you.

That guy is jealous that Kanu achieved what him & his ancestors couldn't achieve.