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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Ndigbo United Forum Worldwide has enunciated several cogent reasons the Igbo nation should produce the next president of the Nigerian federation in 2023.
The organization reasoned that the Yoruba nation has done eight years and the North will complete its 11 years under president Muhammadu Buhari, while the South-South has taken its turn under former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Ndigbo United Forum’s position which is contained in a press release signed by the acting President-General of the organization, Chief Godson Chukwuma Ezenagu, and made available to newsmen in Awka yesterday, stressed the dire need for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to field presidential candidates of Igbo extraction to enable Ndigbo to have their turn of the nation’s seat of power.
The organization maintained that it was in accordance with natural justice, equity and good conscience that the Igbo nation in Nigeria had their fair share of the presidency, stressing that any form of foul play in 2023, may lead to catastrophic consequences across the country.
The release further reads, “2019 was a remarkable year, full of challenges for Ndigbo as a nation state. Security of lives and properties became our major challenge in Nigeria, South Africa and lately Ghana.
“We are merchants by nature and that takes us to many places home and abroad.
“You are advised to be at alert and place security as an important enabler in your business environment.
“2019 was an election year in Nigeria. Even after the elections, the political atmosphere has been on the edge.
“The issue of the 2023 presidential election has taken a centre stage. The Igbo nation lost out completely at the centre, as we are not adequately represented as one of the third major components of the Nigerian Project.
“The issue of national character has been jettisoned.This situation must change forthwith!
“All these factors, and more, above, combined to make 2019 a tough year business wise for Ndi-Igbo. It is hoped that 2020 will oblige us with a better business climate.
“What with the timely passage of the national budget and the new promise for better implementation.
“We are proud of our sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in their various callings; the governors, the ministers, the senators and members of the house of reps, captains of industries and top flight business men and women all over the world.
“We pray for peace, love and understanding among you and your neighbours especially in 2020 and beyond.
“It is only in the atmosphere of peace and love that we could pursue our rights and privileges, which includes but not limited to our turn to be president of this country.
“The Yorubas have taken 8 years.The Hausas will complete eleven years in 2023.
“It is now the turn of the Igbos, let nobody test nature. It’s our insensitivity that led to Boko Haram, herdsmen attacks, banditry and kidnappings in this country.
“President Yar’Adua’s instrument amnesty that cooled the Niger Delta brouhaha was dialogue.
“By the time you deny giving a child his turn, it may lead to protest, disunity, disaffection, disillusion, restivenes, rumbling and even hate speech.
“Lest we forget, as a nation we placated the Yorubas in 1999, when the two major political parties fielded Yoruba candidates which led to Obasanjo’s Presidency for eight years.
“It is on record that OBJ even lost in his Local Government Area, but most Nigerians voted him into office.
“President Jonathan was elected by Nigerians to assuade the restivenes of the South-South, which is not as populated as the South East.
“With this singular move, the whole fighting war groups in the Niger Delta melted like ice blocks.
“We hereby admonish Ndi-Igbo to improve their relationship with their host and neighbours.
“Finally we wish to appeal to the two major political parties, APC and PDP, in Nigeria political space to do the needful by presenting their candidates from the Igbo extraction, so as to facilitate the possibility of the Igbo becoming the next Nigerian President come 2023.
“This will be in consonance with the principles of equity, natural justice, good conscience.”
