South East leaders must unite, speak with one voice

The average Igbo man, the symbol of true representation of the Nigerian State, craves the unity of Nigeria more than anyone else in this country. It is unfortunate that as a result of the Nigerian Civil War, the Igbo have been turned ‘enemies’ of Nigeria and have therefore been relegated to the background of political […]

The average Igbo man, the symbol of true representation of the Nigerian State, craves the unity of Nigeria more than anyone else in this country.

It is unfortunate that as a result of the Nigerian Civil War, the Igbo have been turned ‘enemies’ of Nigeria and have therefore been relegated to the background of political calculation.

Again, the seeming disunity of Ndi Igbo has earned them a loss of respect in our national politics.

Part of the challenges Ndi Igbo faces is the denigration of Igbo elders which encourages the cliche of ‘Igbo enwe eze’; lack of clear strategy for group survival and the absence of commonly endorsed spokesperson for Ndi Igbo. Also, personal interventions end up as avenues for driving purely personal ambitions.

However, the Igbo man has what it takes to propel Nigeria to greater heights, politically, socially and economically. It is therefore important that all major ethnic groups produce the president before we would agree to end the zoning arrangement.

Nigeria is built on a tripod (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba), therefore, the South East should be allowed to produce the president come 2023. Moreover, the emergence of an Igbo man as president would equally bring an end to protests in the South East region.

The South East should not sit down, cross their hand and expect to be given the presidency on a platter of gold. Political power is not given; it is taken by whoever desires to occupy any political position.

The South East leaders must therefore rise to the occasion; they must unite and speak with one voice and must build bridges across the political, religious, ethnic and regional divides in Nigeria.

We, of the Njem Igbo Initiative, are sounding this clarion call for all well-meaning Ndigbo to take that step of faith, mend fences, build bridges of unity and forge a common goal, that is a president of Igbo extraction.

Chidozie Okoli, President, Njem Igbo Initiative