2023: Ohanaeze Insists On President Of Igbo Extraction, Carpets PDP

The decision to throw the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential ticket open to all section of the country as contained in the Bala Mohammed led committee has been described as most despicable, un-reflective and unconscionable.

This was the view of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide through its National Publicity Secretary Chief Alex Ogbonna.

In a press statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, Ohanaeze said that the Bala Mohammed-led committee report was capable of impugning the unity of the country and asked for the withdrawal of the report without wasting time.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the umbrella body of the Igbos said it was committed to Nigeria producing a President of Igbo extraction in 2023, adding that it will willingly identify with any group that is ready for the bargain.

Part of the statement reads, It is very worrisome that some highly placed Nigerians who have benefited so much from the unity of the country would be inclined to decisions and actions that will further inflame the passions of the patient but aggrieved part of the country.

For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians agreed on the rotation of the presidency between the North and the South; in which case it is the turn of the South after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

For clarity purposes, both the South West and the South-South had both taken their turns in the persons of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan respectively. It is rather very unpatriotic and a trifle on the sensibilities of the Igbo for the committee to even suggest the rotation of the presidency to the North East in the first instance and open to every part of Nigeria as a major slight.”

It is disturbing that all the indignities, perceived and real, that the South East suffer in the current dispensation are the outcome of the Igbo support to the PDP since 1999. It is on record that in 1999, the Igbo were in hock with the PDP through which Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emerged the President of Nigeria; same in 2003 and the subsequent elections in Nigeria.”

On the other hand, the Igbo had invested much political capital in the PDP only to be betrayed by its apparent lack of principles. The leadership of the PDP is advised to retract the comment made by Alh Bala Mohammed and countermand the content of the obnoxious committee report in the interest of the party.”

Let it be known that Ndigbo does not wax so eloquent on political parties, the Igbo is bound to advertise the party that caters to the interest of our people.

It is instructive that Senator Ali Ndume, a chieftain of the All Peoples Congress (APC) is among the prominent Northerners that canvass for zoning the Nigerian presidency to the South East for the 2023 presidential election.

Other prominent APC chieftains are highly committed to the realisation of this project and we will be very delighted to work with them in the overall interest of Ndigbo.”

He added that if you deny the Igbo justice, be ready for righteous indignation, diminishing authority, denial of the legitimacy of governance and loyalty.

The Igbo faith and confidence is based on what you deny the Igbo in the morning, they can give to themselves in the evening through hard work and perseverance. We are undaunted.