…says 2023 South-east presidency will foster national unity
By Gabriel Atumeyi
365Daily – The Igbo Socio-Cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed support for the South-east security network recently unveiled by Governors from the region, Ebube Agu.
This is just as the group said a 2023 South-east presidency would foster a sense of unity and belonging in the country.
The President – General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, explained at a press conference on Monday, April 19, in Abuja, that the security outfit was a product of consultation among Governors who are the Chief Security Officers of their states for the safety of the Igbos and must be supported to ensure it achieves the desired results.
Responding to where the support of Ohanaeze lies between Eastern Security Network and Ebube Agu, he said, “Believe me, an organisation that is working for the security, peace, safety and interest of the Ibos is welcomed. Ebube Agu is formed by the government and governments of the South-east. The Governors, the government, there is no comparison between them and any other organisation. Any organisation should come under the control of the government. This question is a very divisive one and we are a people tired of being divided by English language. Any organisation that is fighting for fairness, equity and justice for Ibos is welcomed. If there is a difference, it will be method. It has to be harmonised. As the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, I don’t want any method that puts Ibos in harm’s way. That is inimical to our own safety. You get my point. So all those trying to divide us. In fact, every group in Nigeria is divided. Some even more divided than the Ibos. Look around. Looking around Ibos are even more united.
“Until recently, the South-east used to be the most peaceful zone. Now all of a sudden because the idea of a president from Igboland has moved from a probability to a possibility, people want to turn Igboland into a terrorist environment. Igbos are not nation breakers, we are not violent people. So we must find out the root of the recent spread of violence and kidnappings and all that. So that is what I am trying to say. People should not use such a thing as the character of Ibo people, for all the things you can know Igbos for. Igbos are not known for getting money through laziness, like kidnapping.
“So my advice to the press, do not give publicity to things that do not merit it by comparing Ebube Agu with any other organisation that is working in Igboland. Things have hierarchy. The Governors of the states are the Chief Security Officers of the states. So how do you compare them with organisations? Organisations are welcomed if they are working in the interests of the people and the nation. The people we are taking about are our children. They are our people.”
Speaking for a South-east presidency come 2023, Prof. Obiozor stated that Ndigbo have the personalities, potentialities, capacities and achievements to hold the highest office in the land.
He said he was certain that Ndigbo, as responsible individualities and despite divergent opinions, would agree on a single candidate if given the opportunity.
Obiozor said: “The truth of the matter is that the Igbos have a convincing argument to present before the country and to those who are willing and open minded. They would understand how compellingly it is for them to support the South-east to produce the president of Nigeria the next time around. A sense of balance, a sense of belonging is extremely important in a federalism.
“In 2013, I had an interview and said injustice meted to Igbos will be going round. I also wrote ‘why the Igbo Youths are angry’, today all youths in Nigeria are angry. What started as an isolated case as become a plaque. So the Ibos are getting ready and they are fighting. Like every battle you need a few good men to win. It takes a few to achieve victory for many.
“Divergent opinions are healthy in politics and politics is not a science of exactitude. It is not mathematics. Politics is considerably and consistently a matter of choices. So for the Igbos having divergent opinions is not a crime. No section of Nigeria has one opinion or has one leader.
“Do we have one opinion in the North-east, the North-west, even South-south. Igbos have different opinions and it converges in Igbo President. A President from the South-east in 2023. That is the opinion,” he stated.
Obiozor also disclosed that the group has been making consultations across the country with positive and wonderful results but that 2023 is still ahead so the process is elaborate and diplomatic.
“The results of the consultations are in the papers of day before yesterday, yesterday and even today. Very sound, positive results. Wonderful responses. Have you listened to Edwin Clark or read him? One at a time. None is on the run. So we are taking it easy. So we have given you wonderful example of the support. First outing, tremendous success. You read it, you saw it. Edwin Clark is not a frivolous man. He is a man of history and he is leading a people who have had experience in this country. In the politics of precarious balance in Nigeria, they have had experience. They know what it takes to support any group and they have done it.”
Responding to how Ohanaeze Ndigbo intends to achieve its purpose for an igbo president in Nigeria’s multiparty system, he said: “We have many politcal parties. We would appeal to them to nominate an Ibo man or woman as their presidential candidate. That would do. That would be wonderful. It is found in the Bible: ‘Many are called, few are chosen.’
When the time comes, politics is a matter of selection. We would sort ourselves, just support us, including the press. I am soliciting the press. For now just support a president from the South-east. An Igboman or an Igbowoman.
“This time around we will get a president of Nigeria from Igboland. If others can do it why can’t we? There is history and there is evidence. The last Presidential election all the major candidates were from the same zone. It was also so in 1999. So why are we trying to break our heads because it is coming to our zone? Give us our choice will be made by us and your cooperation. That is what the Ibos are demanding. We deserve it and it is reasonable.”