April 28, 2022

There has been reports from different quarters that some prominent Igbo indigenes are working tirelessly to sabotage the efforts of some presidential aspirants of Igbo extraction from emerging the presidential candidates of the two major political parties in Nigeria (PDP/APC).

Early this week, in a town hall consultation organized by the PDP Anambra State chapter, Gov. Nyesom Wike accused Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State of speaking with both sides of his mouth claiming that he is good for the job but Atiku Abubakar is also good for the job. According to Wike, such statement depicts double standard for a man who should be serious with what he wants.

It will be recalled that the Igbo nation has been agitating to produce the president of Nigeria without other regions listening to them. But today the story has taken a different dimension. The Igbo youths both within and the diaspora, have taken to the streets demanding for a separate country from Nigeria as a result of long period of marginalization.

Good enough, the marginalization has brought about wide range of protests  in and outside Nigeria. Today, the world sympathises with the South East to the point that they are willing to sacrifice their time to help us produce the next president and give NDIGBO  voice in Nigeria.

According reports, It is not only Obi that was caught with his choice of words, there are others who are secretly working for other candidates not from Igbo extraction. Ikpeazu, Abia governor was also accused of working for Wike while the likes of Umahi and others are gunning for the vice president’s slot.  It will not be good for anybody to sabotage Igbo presidency project because of money or any political enticement.

It is also worthy to note that early this week, the sympathisers of Ndigbo converged at ICC Abuja and  made case for Igbo PRESIDENCY. I was surprised that Chief Edwin Clerk and Ayo Adebanjo  were at the event clamouring for an Igbo man to become the president of Nigeria at least  to ensure equity , justice and fairness.  Though, Clerk was there by proxy but Adebanjo hit the nail on the head. the leader of Afenifere was emphatic to remind Nigerians that  it’s high time an Igbo takes the centre stage in Nigeria. Adebanjo and Clark are from different geopolitical zones. Ordinarily, they should be working to deliver their sons and daughters in same office.

One would ask, what will an Igbo man gain to have all the money on earth or become the vice president of Nigeria while we have competent hand like HE SENATOR Anyim PIUS Anyim. A man who has been tested and trusted. A unifier and known stabilizer of turbulent political system. A stainless man who commands respects across board in Nigerian politics.

It will sound funny and lack of seriousness for an Igbo man to accept any political position less than the president. It will also portray lack of unity among Igbo politicians. Those who are planning to sell our birth right because of their selfish interest should realize that their actions are capable of sending the Igbo nation millions of miles away from political and economic progress.

In case they are not aware of the political and economic intimidation against the Igbo, they should ask Igbo importers in Lagos, Onitsha and other cities in the country of their ugly encounters with the custom officers at the Nigerian ports.

If the Igbo political leaders fail to get it right now and clinch the number one position, it might be difficult to achieve it in the future thereby jeopardising the chances of an man to have a voice in Nigeria. The children unborn will also suffer it.

All hands must be on deck to stop whoever wants to sabotage the South East effort to produce the next president of the country.

Author: Cyprian Ajah.