2023: Ohanaeze Backs Adebanjo Call for Igbo President
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the apex social-cultural Igbo group Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said an Igbo presidency would be the most unifying action to be taken by Nigerians.
The national publicity secretary of the group, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, stated this in reaction to a comment by the leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo who noted that any attempt by a Northerner to become President comes 2023 would spell doom for the country.
The leader was reiterating his support for Igbo Presidency in the 2023 election.
In reaction, Ogbonnia said: “Chief Adebanjo is an experienced Nigerian politician, an elder statesman, a visionary; in fact, any time he is talking, he is not speaking for himself, he talks for the future of this country. He has seen Nigeria in and out, he knows the heartbeat of Nigeria, and he knows the consequences of whatever step Nigeria takes in 2023.
“So, what is happening now is a dilemma of either to reintegrate the Igbo after over 50 years after the civil war or not to reintegrate them. So, if the Igbo are reintegrated, that is the presidency we are talking about, but if they are not reintegrated, you are giving vent to the agitation by restive youths; it will intensify, and some of us will not have any basis to plead with them. The insecurity will increase.
“The elder statesman understands the implication of denying Igbo the presidency because there is no reason on earth why it should not come to them except the dilemma of whether to reintegrate them or not reintegrate them.
“So, if Nigerians conspire not to reintegrate the Igbo, it will give credence to the agitation by Indigenous Peoples Biafra, IPOB, Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and others, and it will be difficult for us to do anything about it.
“The insecurity will increase; you will see what is happening in the South-East will affect other parts of the country. The relationship between Igbo and other ethnic groups will be severed; the Igbo everywhere will be uncomfortable. So, I support the views of the elder statesman,” Ogbonnia added.
Earlier, Empire had reported Pa Adebanjo’s position on the Igbo presidency. Other groups who supported his stand were the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF
With ongoing consultations and declaration of interest in the number one seat, what is your take on Igbo Presidency?
