Nigerian President Of Igbo Extraction, If Not Now, When?

UCHE NWORAH, Ph.D

There is a sense of fairness and equity in pushing for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023. This argument strongly counters others, including those that have mentioned experience and competence. This is because, in the line-up of Ndigbo that have so far indicated interest to run, we have very competent and experienced folks including former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, former Secretary to the federal government, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Peter Umeadi and others. 

What the West and North are doing, trying to field candidates in that election runs against the spirit of national cohesion. 

2023 will probably be the closest Ndigbo would have come in having a shot at the number one position in Nigeria, on the balance of equity and probabilities.

Unfortunately, power is not given. On the strength of numbers alone, an Igbo man will not become President of Nigeria even if all the available votes in the South-Eastern states go to him. What that means is that we have to play a different kind of politics, entering into alliances with the West, North, and South. There may be a need also for an Igbo consensus candidate. There should be an Igbo agenda rather than a political party agenda. 

Some house cleaning also needs to be carried out, to ensure that Igbo youths and others are part of this project. Critically, Igbo elites and the political class should as a matter of urgency engage the Federal Government to finally resolve the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu situation. This has continued to remain a festering sore. His continued incarceration almost marred the November 6, 2021, Anambra gubernatorial elections, and has been touted variously as the reason for the escalating violence in the South-East. A political situation must be explored to secure his release. 

The time to start is now, and we all have to get involved, and mobilise support for who, among the leading Igbo aspirants we believe has the national reach, acceptance, resources, state of mind, stature etc, to clinch the party primaries ticket first, and possibly go on to win the election.