2023 Elections: Denying Igbo Presidency will be Highest Level of Marginalization Against Ndigbo, Okeke Warns
- The call for power to be shifted to the southeast come 2023 is still on even as more prominent personalities in the country are making new moves
- Recent is the president of President Pan-Ndigbo Foundation, Chief Simon Okeke, who has aired his opinion regarding the Igbo presidency
- Chief Okeke is of the view that if the Igbo is denied the presidency in 2023, it surely indicates the high level of marginalization against the Ndigbo as a whole
Anambra state, Awka- Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), and president Pan-Ndigbo Foundation (PNF), Chief Simon Okeke, has said that if Igbos are not given a chance to rule the country it shows the highest level of marginalization against the Ndigbo.
Chief Okeke made this statement during an interview with Vanguard on Friday, November 26, at his Amichi, Nnewi South Local Council, Anambra state home.
The Igbo leader who spoke on national issues, including the Biafra secession agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and tackling insecurity disclosed that a peaceful agitation or protest is not an offence in Nigeria and all over the world, adding that there is a genuine move for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
Source: Facebook
He said:
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"One thing I know that is clear is that if there is no Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, as long as there is restructuring, Igbo do not mind.
"The South-East geopolitical zone has never been given the chance to produce the president of this country and anybody who says the Igbo man is not ripe to ascend the seat of the president of this country is not being fair and honest.
"Denying an Igbo man the opportunity to ascend the seat of the president will be the highest level of marginalisation against Ndigbo.
"The idea that the Igbo should be given the chance in 2023 to produce the president of Nigeria is an honest and rightful demand. It is imperative for all hands to be on deck to ensure that an Igbo man emerges the Nigerian president in 2023 so that all the tension and agitations associated with marginalisation of South-East people in the scheme of things in the country can abate."
He added that "the South-East geo-political zone is blessed with eminently qualified personalities who can give the country responsible and responsive leadership. However, there is an urgent need for the political class in the zone to discuss with stakeholders in other zones."
On Igbo leaders’ appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and call for dialogue and political solution
He said that negotiating Nnamdi Kanu out of detention is a good move and one that is commendable from the federal government, adding that it shows that Mr President wants peace to reign in his country.
He said:
"First of all, agitation by IPOB arose as a result of injustice, failure to have a level playing ground for all Nigerians, free and fair treatment of everybody."
On IPOB agreeing and supporting the dialogue and negotiation plan
He said that with time, people will know that what they are made to know about IPOB may not be correct while adding that a peaceful agitation or protest is not an offence in Nigeria and all over the world.
He affirmed thus:
"Yes, they will agree, IPOB has shown responsibility with Anambra State governorship election.
"IPOB will not be said to be unyielding, the Anambra governorship election is example of IPOB’s responsibility."
2023: APC Northern Coalition gives reasons Okorocha should become Nigeria's president
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that a former governor and the present lawmaker representing Imo west senatorial district, Rochas Okorocha, seems to have been gathering a lot of support towards his presidential ambition.
In a recent move, a coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups across the country have launched campaigns to support Okorocha's drive towards Nigeria's presidency in 2023.
The Sun reports that the group in an event in Kano metropolis attracted APC supporters across the northern region of the country.
Source: Legit.ng
