The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, says the clamour for a candidate from the South-East to be elected as a President of Nigeria is morally and historically justifiable.
President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof George Obiozor, made the declaration in Enugu during a meeting of Ohaneze Ameobi.
According to Obiozor, “it is a project every person must key into. To this end, Ohaneze Ndigbo has contacted several Nigerian leaders regarding the right of the South-East to produce a President for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“All the double-dealings about zoning and rotation of power is an orchestrated conspiracy to deprive the South-East of the right to produce a president.
“I want to assure all of you, it will fail. Ours is a right and just cause,” Obiozor said.
Obiozor encourages all the Presidential aspirants from the South-East to remain focused, tenacious, and optimistic.
“In fact, we are committed to the resolution by the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF) that no Southerner, in fact a South Easterner should denigrate himself or herself with the position of a Vice President,” Obiozor noted.
Meanwhile, the President of Ohaneze said the Political Action Committee (PAC) of Ohaneze Ndigbo will still meet several eminent Nigerians to persuade them to appreciate the need for a South easterner to be elected president of Nigeria in 2023.
VOTERS REGISTRATION AND ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT VOTERS CARD
Obiozor underlined Igbos’ need to hastily acquire their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) wherever they live in Nigeria.
“I call on the Association of South East Town Unions, Traditional Rulers, the leadership of Ndigbo in Diaspora, Religious bodies, Market Associations and all other groups to take this message seriously. It is a task that must be undertaken,” he stated.
INSECURITY
Ohaneze noted that insecurity issues had pervaded almost all parts of Nigeria as each geo-political zone has its peculiarity.
“The advent of insecurity in the South-East is both bizarre and dramatic. The South-East had been adjudged the most serene and peaceful zone in Nigeria until April 5, 2021, when gunmen attacked the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo State and freed 1,844 prison inmates.
“Since the April 5 episode, insecurity in the South East has attained an unbearable crescendo,” Obiozor noted.
SIT-AT-HOME ORDER
The Monday Sit-at-Home order, according to Ohaneze, is a slur on the Igbo. “It is strange for a group to face the barrel of the gun inwards. Many people have estimated the South-East’s colossal weekly loss is because of the Sit-at Home Order.
“Sequel to this, the Ohaneze Ndigbo appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to find a political solution to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other Igbo youths in detention.
“We seek healing, national unity and progress on a platform of justice, equity, fairness and a sense of belonging in Nigeria,” Obiozor said.
E/Suzan O.
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