2023 Presidency: Igbo leaders meet in Owerri

The Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group in Nigeria, has met in Owerri and mandated the President of the group, Professor George Obiozor, to begin immediately consultation with other ethnic groups in Nigeria to actualize a president of Igbo extraction for Nigeria in 2023.

This decision is contained in a communique issued by the group to newsmen after its meeting at the Government House in Owerri.

The Council argued that 2023 would be the turn of the Igbo to occupy the position of the president, just as they warned some Igbo politicians to desist from speaking against zoning.

“The elders’ council frowned at the sudden rhetoric from partisan leaders in Igboland that zoning should be de-emphasised. Insisting that even that will be, it will be after Igbo have taken their turn.

“The council mandated the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to also work in consultation with other ethnic groups in pursuant to this objective. We urge every Igbo man with the needed capacity to show interest in the 2023 presidency,” The communiqué read.

Security

The council mandated Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership to work in consultation with the state government in Igboland to reduce the vulnerability of those residing outside Igboland to the current abysmal state of affairs.

“The council agreed that Ala Igboland needs a security outfit to begin to address the things that are peculiar to the culture, religion, tradition of Ala Igboland.” It said.

Present at the meeting was Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma as host, alongside his Ebonyi State counterpart, Governor Dave Umahi.

Other dignitaries at the meeting also include former governors of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Abia state, currently a Senator, Theodore Orji, as well as former and serving members of the National Assembly members, first republic minister, Mbazulike Amaechi.

Also at the meeting were the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, former Ohanaeze President, Nnia Nwodo, Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, Obi of Onitsha, of Igwe Alfred Achebe, Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical province, Emmanuel Chukwuma among others.

Zainab Sa’id