Abah Joshua
The apex sociocultural organisation in Igbo, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and their presidential aspirants to think more of how to foster the nation’s unity than their desperate quest of capturing power.
This is as the group appealed to delegates of the two major political parties to elect aspirants of Igbo extraction at their national conventions, saying by so doing they would championed the ideals of equity, fairness and justice.
Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Chief Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated this in a statement, on Thursday, adding the only way to halt ‘imminent’ disintegration of the country is to elect a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, come 2023.
The statement read in part, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide insists that only the Nigerian President of Igbo stock from the seven Igbo speaking states including Anioma ( in Delta,) and Ikwerre (in Rivers) will halt the disintegration threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence and unity beyond 2023.
“The consequence of another Northern presidency after President Buhari in 2023 will be Nigeria’s doom and reinforcement for the secessionist campaign for Biafra restoration. We ought to have learned from the lessons from of Boko Haram as a political spear for seizing power in 2015 and the aftermath consequences of President Buhari’s failure to end up the Boko Haram, banditry and terrorism in the North.
“APC and PDP National Delegates should jettison money politics and put Nigeria’s unity first by voting for Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi ( Ikwerre, Rivers) and Gov David Umahi (South-East) in APC and Gov Nyesom Wike ( Ikwerre Rivers) and Peter Obi (South-East) in PDP.
“Never in the history of our country has a particular region produced a Presidential candidate and National Chairman at the same time. It will be absolute insanity for PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ayu and APC’s Sen. Adamu Abdullahi to plot for Northern Presidential candidates, as it will spell doom for Nigeria as there will be an elections boycott in the South-East.
“This is the last deciding chance to preserve and defend Nigeria’s unity and peace. APC and PDP National Delegates should place patriotism above nepotism and save our democracy. We acknowledge the Afenifere’s and Niger Delta’s support for the 2023 Igbo Presidency.
“As for those who are inquisitive to scuttle the Igbo 2023 agenda for will anarchy awaits them. We are aware of Igbo paid agents and we have not forgotten those Igbo saboteurs, who betrayed Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Jos 98 PDP convention. if there is a repeat of Jos 98 and Northerners emerge PDP and APC Presidential candidates, Igbos will boycott the 2023 elections.”, the statement read.
