The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to the North for full support in their struggle for power shift to the Southeast ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro led a powerful delegation to leaders in the North as the race for power shift gets tough, noting that for the Igbos to achieve their quest to produce the next President of Nigeria, the support of northern region is very paramount.
Delivering their message of appeal, the leader of the delegation, Mazi Isiguruzo said the Igbo believes in dialogue, lobbying and negotiation if their ambition to produce the President of south eastern extraction is to be achieved, hence they are on their toes ahead of time.
He disclosed that Igbo in Diaspora have set aside N10 billion naira to support any candidate of Igbo extraction that will emerge for the presidential race from any of the major political parties.
Speaking at a meeting with the national President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidential quest leader said, “we are here to beg northerners to support Igbo to get the 2023 presidency”
Mazi Isiguzoro disclosed that the delegation had earlier met with some religious and traditional leaders in the north over the presidential project.
He said, the Igbo delegation for 2023 presidency would continue to lobby all parts of the country for the power shift to the South Eastern region.
He informed that Igbo nation including their kinsmen in Rivers and Delta States have abundant human resources and brains that can produce an outstanding President if given the opportunity.
The Ohanaeze Scribe pointed out politicians like Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Governor Dave Umahi amongst others as presidential materials, “so, we are begging the North to look at individual competence and not the region.
“We are begging the north to give us the opportunity. You should help us because we know that the north plays the role of kingmaker in politics of this country. We are here to ask you to support an Igbo man for the presidency. There should be no more abusive words between north and south East as we used to read on pages of newspapers.
“What happened to the cordial relationship between Zik and Tafawa Balewa, what happened to the good relationship between North and South East? We must bring back the good memories of old days for the unity and development of Nigeria.
“Igbo have over a trillion investment in the north. We are for one Nigeria, we are not for Biafra. We need somebody that is of age that can unite Nigeria. We believe in one Nigeria. We have abundant human resources that can take over from Buhari.
“We have people who are committed to serve Nigeria. We have seven States including Rivers and Delta States where we have Igbo speaking brothers. We have politicians like Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Rochas Okorocha, among others that can run for the presidency”. Mazi Isiguzoro said.
Responding, the national President of AYCF, Alhaji Shettima told the Ohanaeze delegation that it was good to negotiate and lobby when seeking for power, adding that nobody ever achieve political results through threat or blackmail.
“I have always believed in Pan Nigeria. I believe in the unity of one Nigeria. I have been part of many struggles. I am not happy that Nigeria is not where it is. People who don’t have an idea of history of Nigeria resorted to abusive words and threat.They resort to champion the cause of Biafra. Gone are those days you use threat to look for power.
“It is a welcome development that you are here to discuss the 2023 general election. Politics is about negotiation and lobbying, You need to rise above board. Nobody will trust power to you if you resort to threat and blackmail.
“However, democratically, I don’t understand what zoning means. I believe that you should bring out your candidate and we will bring out our own, and by the time we meet at the contest, whoever wins, should carry the day. Nonetheless, we will go back to our elders and report to them about your visit and mission”. Shettima assured.
