A Human Rights Activist, Emperor Ogbonna has said that nobody should doubt the determination of Igbo leaders and Igbos in general to support any of their sons to emerge as the president of Nigeria come 2023.
Speaking to journalists in Aba, the firebrand lawyer however said that the only reason why it seems as if nothing much is being heard right now is that nobody knows what the major political parties want to do.
He said that since the political parties are yet to have their conventions and decide on zoning, it will be difficult for the real politicking to begin, stressing that once the two main political parties in Nigeria and others decide, Igbos will not sit on the fence.
“Trust me, once it is clear that the south is to produce the next president, there would be alignments and realignment of interests and you would see how the Igbos shall unite and support their own.
“Also, once the parties conduct their primaries and an Igbo person wins the endorsement of a major party, many would drop the issue of secession and embrace Igbo presidency, and unite behind their son.
“It shall happen. Let’s just wait for the zoning issue to be sorted out. Once that happens, you will see handshakes across the Niger and consolidation within the South-East.”
The renowned lawyer said that of a truth, Igbos are divided on this issue of a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, adding that while some Igbos want Igbos to break away from Nigeria, others want the next person to be sworn in as the president of Nigeria to be someone from the South East.
He however said that such issues will be sorted out soon, adding that if an Igbo person is elected president, the majority of the problems bedeviling Nigeria today as it relates to secession would cease.
He cited examples of how the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president in 1999 helped to calm the South-West after what happened to Chief Moshood Abiola.
“The Niger Delta people felt marginalised and they started bombing the creeks and pipeline. The Nigerian nation quelled it by bringing in Goodluck Jonathan as the vice president who later became president.
“Now the Igbos are causing their own trouble as a result of marginalisation and the only solution to unite the country is to bring an Igbo man on board as president.”
He also said that it is true that many Igbos have declared to run for president, but reiterated that some of those interested are waiting for their parties to decide on the zoning formula.
Emperor also said that until primaries are done and concluded, it is difficult to know which aspirant is serious, adding that Igbos are ever ready to do the right thing when the need arises.
Meanwhile in a related development, an Igbo leader and Abia State Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon. Ceekay Igara has said that the technical committee leader, Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi has shown he has a dead conscience.
Dokpesi, technical committee leader, Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, in Umuahia, Abia State capital solicited support for a one-term presidency for the former Vice President from the South-East.
He said that if elected, Atiku would rule for a single term of four years, which would pave way for the South-East to produce the president in 2027.
Reacting to Dokpesi’s comment, Igara said that it is unfortunate that despite the injustice causing problems in Nigeria, some people do not want the problems to be solved as they keep calling for more injustice.
“It’s unfortunate that Dokpesi is championing this kind of advocacy against the South East Zone at this critical time despite the current maginalization that is glaring to everyone.
“He has a dead conscience and that’s why he could come to the South East to talk about this kind of advocacy. Let it be known to everyone who cares to listen that whoever must come to equity must come with clean hands.
“Nigeria is still having problems due to the level of injustices to the south east, unless it’s correctly addressed, we will remain at square one. Mark my words.”
