₦airaland Forum

Thandiubani:
The Igbos have long been marginalized in Nigeria's political equation and must come 2023 produce the next president, writes Alexander Thandi Ubani.

Since the beginning of Nigeria's fourth republic in 1999, no Igbo man or woman has ever been elevated to the position of President or Vice President of Nigeria. From 1999 till date, the country has been ruled by a Yoruba man for 8 years (Olusegun Obasanjo), Ijaw man for 4 years + (Goodluck Jonathan) and Hausa/Fulani for 7 years and counting (Umaru Musa Yar'Adua & Muhammadu Buhari). It is like a grand plan is in place to shut out the Igbos from ascending to these two elevated positions.

If truth must be told, this aspect of our political history is one of the many reasons there is serious distrust and bad blood between the Igbos and the two other major ethnic groups in the country.

There is no gainsaying the fact that when a heterogeneous country like Nigeria marginalizes one of the biggest ethnic groups in the country using bitter political maneuverings, it is preparing itself for a catastrophic implosion.

We pray and sing 'one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity' in our national anthem, yet we continue to undermine it through calculated political misgivings. For instance, Buhari's four years as President (2016-2019) has so far been characterized by a highly ethnic-bigoted appointments which caused serious friction in the polity. Although he argued that his decision was as a result of the number of votes he got from the south in 2015 election, such thinking to say the least, is primitive. Without mincing words, this bitter political scheme watered the ground for serious ethnic disharmony. Many felt that other ethnic groups were purposely left out by his government because the North has a hidden agenda it is yet to achieve.

The bitterness existing between the three major ethnic groups has continued to grow as the Igbos feel isolated from reaching the highest position in the land because of an unwritten agreement between the two other major ethnic groups. By their alliance, the two ethnic groups have continued to produce people who have so far failed in taking Nigeria to the promise land - but because of their numbers, we have continued to settle for mediocre.

The power-hungry-ethnic-champions who have held sway for many years have refused to understand that shutting out one of its three major ethnic groups from power fosters a spirit of rebellion, which in turn results in hostility among the ethnic groups. More so, this act doesn't encourage a peaceful and harmonious co-existence.

Interestingly, a feeling of marginalization as this, is one of the reasons why the country has refused to move forward. This is because the ethnic groups have failed to work together as one. Instead, the individuals who have at various times occupied the highest position in the land over the years made themselves ethnic warriors instead of looking out for the interest of the nation.

Because all ethnic groups in the country are equal and must have same equal political opportunities, at no time should Nigerians ever be given that impression that a particular ethnic group is born to rule over others.

On the part of the Igbos, there should be a conscientious effort to harmonize the existing relationship between them and other ethnic groups, if this dream must come true. The pockets of discord being sown by enemies of the people who have continued to exploit fault-lines to cause disunity must be spotted and erased.

Now and again, I see people debating whether those from Delta, Ebonyi etc have the 'true blood of Igboness' flowing in them. What kind of nonsensically divisive argument is that? It is like we are intentionally playing right into the hands of our ex-military rulers who planted the seed of discord by ripping us apart many years ago. The southeast and southsouth are brothers and must not allow their enemies to continue to dictate their political steps.

Southeast and southsouth politicians who are happy to play second fiddle after selling their rights must be reminded that history will always remember them with a frown. All illustrious sons and daughters of Ndigbo must as a matter of urgency begin now to lobby their counterparts from other ethnic groups for an Igbo Presidency come 2023.

If the dream of Igbo presidency must be achieved in 2023, the high rate of voter apathy in the southeast and Southsouth must be reversed. Ndigbo must come out en masse to vote instead of sitting back at home hoping for a miracle.

The absence of a leadership figure from the southeast and southsouth capable of uniting the two groups has been a clog in the wheel of progress. However, progress must be made with what is available. Illustrious sons and daughters (politicians, businessmen/women, intellectuals, writers and like minds) of southeast and southsouth extraction must come together as one for the purpose of producing an Igbo presidency in 2023.

We must upset the balance to forge a formidable force and take what is rightfully ours.

In order to correct the current unsavory political equation in Nigeria, foster peace & unity and conceive the idea in the hearts of all that Nigeria belongs to all, the Igbos must produce the President come 2023. This way, equity and justice would have been served.

Alexander Thandi Ubani
Political analyst and journalist.
thandiubani@yahoo.com

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/122733/why-igbos-must-produce-the-next-president-in-2023.html

Curlieweed:
[/s]

[s]You people are not serious. By 2023, after Mumuharri’s disastrous next level, Nigeria will be officially a failed state.

[s][/s]The signs are everywhere. You don’t need a prophet to tell you that any more than you need a meteorologist to tell you it will rain when the sky is overcast. And that is the time you want one poor Igboman to become president?

[s][/s]Thanks but no thanks.

alizma:
When i post on nairaland, the need for Igbo people to support buhari for a better platform and better bargain power 2023 presidency, some of you said i was wrong. It is selfish, unreasonable and witch crafting for anyone or group of people who massively supported Atiku who would not have settle for anything less than 8year, to now come out to ask to be supported for 2023 presidency. However, i will advise the igbos to secure 2023 PDP presidential ticket first. Their attempt on that will help them understand how much they fooled themselves.
Read below, my advise to the igbos as early as August last year while we were preparing for 2019 presidential election.

https://www.nairaland.com/4703322/2023-igbo-presidency-not-negotiable/1#70720747

kurupt1:
My friend stop this ur ignorant talk......we are in a democracy.Everyone is free to vote whom they deem best for a position.
Buhari government has performed badly,so why should the igbo man vote him back?Now people are canvassing for Tinubu due to their selfish interest when everyone knows Tinubu is a thief and crook.
Actually the igbos don't have a herd mentality (they vote based on performance).Once Nigeria has this mentality of the igbos then our democracy will blossom.But for now they should enjoy their next level

Thandiubani:
The Igbos have long been marginalized in Nigeria's political equation and must come 2023 produce the next president, writes Alexander Thandi Ubani.

Since the beginning of Nigeria's fourth republic in 1999, no Igbo man or woman has ever been elevated to the position of President or Vice President of Nigeria. From 1999 till date, the country has been ruled by a Yoruba man for 8 years (Olusegun Obasanjo), Ijaw man for 4 years + (Goodluck Jonathan) and Hausa/Fulani for 7 years and counting (Umaru Musa Yar'Adua & Muhammadu Buhari). It is like a grand plan is in place to shut out the Igbos from ascending to these two elevated positions.

If truth must be told, this aspect of our political history is one of the many reasons there is serious distrust and bad blood between the Igbos and the two other major ethnic groups in the country.

There is no gainsaying the fact that when a heterogeneous country like Nigeria marginalizes one of the biggest ethnic groups in the country using bitter political maneuverings, it is preparing itself for a catastrophic implosion.

We pray and sing 'one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity' in our national anthem, yet we continue to undermine it through calculated political misgivings. For instance, Buhari's four years as President (2016-2019) has so far been characterized by a highly ethnic-bigoted appointments which caused serious friction in the polity. Although he argued that his decision was as a result of the number of votes he got from the south in 2015 election, such thinking to say the least, is primitive. Without mincing words, this bitter political scheme watered the ground for serious ethnic disharmony. Many felt that other ethnic groups were purposely left out by his government because the North has a hidden agenda it is yet to achieve.

The bitterness existing between the three major ethnic groups has continued to grow as the Igbos feel isolated from reaching the highest position in the land because of an unwritten agreement between the two other major ethnic groups. By their alliance, the two ethnic groups have continued to produce people who have so far failed in taking Nigeria to the promise land - but because of their numbers, we have continued to settle for mediocre.

The power-hungry-ethnic-champions who have held sway for many years have refused to understand that shutting out one of its three major ethnic groups from power fosters a spirit of rebellion, which in turn results in hostility among the ethnic groups. More so, this act doesn't encourage a peaceful and harmonious co-existence.

Interestingly, a feeling of marginalization as this, is one of the reasons why the country has refused to move forward. This is because the ethnic groups have failed to work together as one. Instead, the individuals who have at various times occupied the highest position in the land over the years made themselves ethnic warriors instead of looking out for the interest of the nation.

Because all ethnic groups in the country are equal and must have same equal political opportunities, at no time should Nigerians ever be given that impression that a particular ethnic group is born to rule over others.

On the part of the Igbos, there should be a conscientious effort to harmonize the existing relationship between them and other ethnic groups, if this dream must come true. The pockets of discord being sown by enemies of the people who have continued to exploit fault-lines to cause disunity must be spotted and erased.

Now and again, I see people debating whether those from Delta, Ebonyi etc have the 'true blood of Igboness' flowing in them. What kind of nonsensically divisive argument is that? It is like we are intentionally playing right into the hands of our ex-military rulers who planted the seed of discord by ripping us apart many years ago. The southeast and southsouth are brothers and must not allow their enemies to continue to dictate their political steps.

Southeast and southsouth politicians who are happy to play second fiddle after selling their rights must be reminded that history will always remember them with a frown. All illustrious sons and daughters of Ndigbo must as a matter of urgency begin now to lobby their counterparts from other ethnic groups for an Igbo Presidency come 2023.

If the dream of Igbo presidency must be achieved in 2023, the high rate of voter apathy in the southeast and Southsouth must be reversed. Ndigbo must come out en masse to vote instead of sitting back at home hoping for a miracle.

The absence of a leadership figure from the southeast and southsouth capable of uniting the two groups has been a clog in the wheel of progress. However, progress must be made with what is available. Illustrious sons and daughters (politicians, businessmen/women, intellectuals, writers and like minds) of southeast and southsouth extraction must come together as one for the purpose of producing an Igbo presidency in 2023.

We must upset the balance to forge a formidable force and take what is rightfully ours.

In order to correct the current unsavory political equation in Nigeria, foster peace & unity and conceive the idea in the hearts of all that Nigeria belongs to all, the Igbos must produce the President come 2023. This way, equity and justice would have been served.

Alexander Thandi Ubani
Political analyst and journalist.
thandiubani@yahoo.com

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/122733/why-igbos-must-produce-the-next-president-in-2023.html

alizma:
Mentality that cannot give you your heart desire, is that one good mentality?

Curlieweed:
[s][/s]

You people are not serious. By 2023, after Mumuharri’s disastrous next level, Nigeria will be officially a failed state.

The signs are everywhere. You don’t need a prophet to tell you that any more than you need a meteorologist to tell you it will rain when the sky is overcast. And that is the time you want one poor Igboman to become president?

Thanks but no thanks.

mrvitalis:
The buhari and nigerian present condition is your heart desire ?

What did buhari do to win igbos over , we all saw how jonathan built alot to win over the north

What did buhari do to win the igbos over ....APC are treating igbos like fools now in 2023 they would say vote for us so we treat u better ...does that make sense ?

Ekpeitit:
That's because APC doesn't need Igbos to win an election,keep voting your APGA and PDP.

mrvitalis:
Really ?? So my igbo brothers made the right choice

And the few igbos like me who supported APC are fools then ....smile

U should know political alignment are not static ....everyone has his time

Ekpeitit:
President of where?
Abeg shut up,you guys will be slaves in this country for life.
When we are tired of you we will give you your Biafra without South South so we will still surround you and enslave you indirectly in your landlocked Biafra that has no mineral resources.

Ijaya123:
Give me the name of that one Igbo man that can secure the votes across the country.

Toosure70:
Until they have respect for afonja.

Ekpeitit:
True,Igbos MUST produce the next president of BIAFRA.
This Igbo people will never get sense,how can you use the word MUST in a democratic setting, na by force?
What if I'm not comfortable with an Igbo president, will I vote for one?
MUMU PEOPLE, okay produce the next president make I see.

mrvitalis:
The buhari and nigerian present condition is your heart desire ?

What did buhari do to win igbos over , we all saw how jonathan built alot to win over the north

What did buhari do to win the igbos over ....APC are treating igbos like fools now in 2023 they would say vote for us so we treat u better ...does that make sense ?

Peacemaker5129:
Only if Igbo Muslim can be presented
No born Hausa Fulani man will ever vote for Igbo Christian

Ekpeitit:
That's because APC doesn't need Igbos to win an election,keep voting your APGA and PDP.

contigiency:
This your foolishness is what has set the Igbos back, such that we are no longer remembered when serious political discourse is going on.

Jonathan built a lot to win the North, did he eventually win the North when he lost the election? If I ask you now what he built for the North, you will mention Amajiri schools that even you can't mention the locations of the schools. As if the North never had any school at all except for the ones built by your Jonathan.

Apc is treating Igbos like fools you say? Please what exactly did your darling PDP did for Igbos for about 20 years since the Igbos embraced the party like a religion. Highest you will say appointment to juicy ministries. Then I ask, how did those appointments affect the lives of Igbos positively? Nothing order than dust and splashed water poured on your cheap clothes by expensive cars of those good for nothing ministers.

But now I can boast of good roads being built in every part of Igbo land today by the same APC government headed by the man you like to hate. Second Niger bridge is receiving attention that your PDP only made a paper work for years. I am aware that Buhari and his Apc government gave N20 billion to Ebonyi and Anambara states to revolutionize Agriculture in the region, I am yet to see what those governors did with the money to better Agriculture. Do I need to tell you that none of those Governors is APC but PDP and APGA?

So my brother whether you agree or not, Buhari and APC has done far better in 4 years for Igbos and Nigeria as a whole than what PDP did in 16 years and above. That is why even the Niger Delta where Jonathan hails from has since moved on. All the states in the region are being ruled by PDP since that years except Edo, but you could see the voting pattern of the region. It's divided showing they are no longer dwelling on the past. But We have remained with hatred in our heart ever since. And it will certainly not help us.