By Adadainfo
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a socio-political group, Ndi Igbo Royal Heritage (NIROH) Worldwide, has called on Igbo people in the Southeast and beyond to unite and seek different and profitable approaches to politics, instead of dwelling on complaints and lamentations.
The group made the call recently during an event called Igbo Unity Day Celebration, with the theme: “The Unification Of The Igbo Nation.” The event was held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State.
Describing Igbo as the oldest race in Nigeria, and second largest tribe after the indigenous people in any state of Nigeria, the group cautioned that Igbo must start taking steps to address its socio-political woes and deficiencies, instead of dwelling on lamentations on issues of electing leaders or taking up sensitive positions.
The group said, “Ndigbo are major stakeholders in the Nigerian project. They have played pivotal roles in achieving the independence of Nigeria; as well as in the establishment of the Nigerian state, hence, cannot afford to loose out or become backbenchers in the leadership circle.
“Ndigbo are encouraged to take proactive steps everywhere they find themselves, and should stop playing the second fiddle. Politics of lamentation and blame game are destructive, and can never take a people anywhere. Igbo have invested so much in the Nigerian project, and cannot afford to abandon it.
“Discussion about secession is retrogressive considering that 75 per cent of developments in Abuja belong to Igbo people, as well as 65 per cent of developments in Lagos.
“Igbo people have about 40 to 50 per cent of the infrastructural developments in cities like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and others. On this premise, the Igbo must jettison any form divisive or separatist agenda and embrace Nigeria with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, and hope.”
While making case for president of Igbo extraction in 2023, it said that Ndigbo must decide to play active roles in the coming elections, as well as in the formation of new government in 2023. It also noted that the emergence of president of Igbo extraction in 2023 would erase lines of political marginalization, and the civil war wounds.
It said, “For fairness, justice and equity, the Southeast should be allowed to produce next president of Nigeria. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will be doing himself a lot of good if he should step down from the race, as it will be an act of injustice for him to take over from Buhari. It would have been very pleasant if, in 2023, Nigeria had all Igbo tickets as it had in Obasanjo/Falae and Atiku/Buhari.in the past.”
