In a press conference held by the apex socio cultural igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the 2nd of January, they made known their readiness to serve the presidency of the country.
The press conference which took place at Park Avenue, GRA Enugu state with the need to address the south east zone and 2023 Nigeria presidency was headed by the president general of the group, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor.
Addressing journalists on the issue in view, Obiozor said emphasized on the essence of time and how Nigerians need to reassess their journey so far as a nation, stating that the nation has made two consistent mistakes that have worsened their other problems leading the nation to near breaking points.
“Those two devils in Nigerian politics are power sharing and social injustice. In all we drifted into these two problems with nonchalance or with ease, and sometimes oblivious of their consequences until what we think is a simple or easy problem develops into a national disaster or catastrophe.
Reminding all present of Nigeria’s history, he said “For those who can remember, how did we get into the western region crisis in the 1960s? How did we get to the civil war (1967-1970). How did we get to NADECO (Abiola crisis) and even South-South Avengers?
“Today, the situation of the country is not totally different but even more complicated. Today indeed, the way things are, with communication and modern technology, our country is set not only at the usual breaking points which were more easily controlled and contained in the past to preserve nigerian unity, but a point of synchronized national crisis which will be more difficult to be controlled or contained today.
“Nigeria was a country negotiated and amalgamated under some agreements that balanced sensitive issues of power-sharing and balancing of power regardless of any other conditions. It was a system where every person had an equal chance in life regardless of their tribe, race or religion.
“In 1960 at independence, our Founding Fathers – Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe , Sir Ahmadu Belo, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, joyfully embraced both independence and all existing institutions establishing Nigerian unity. Those Founding Fathers later found out that our country Nigeria, had inherent measures of historic conflict of ideas and ideals.
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“Consequently, all Nigerian leaders even today have utilized Nigeria’s ‘Doctrine of creative use of conflicts and crises’. This old doctrine can be used once more to save the country and control the present crisis. But today also and in terms of nationalism, only few countries in the world have fallen so fast as Nigeria in recent years, Nigerians must recognize that something went wrong.
“Nigerian nationalism is receding as ethno- regional nationalism is growing astronomically. It is time to rebuild and restore Nigerian nationalism and national spirit. As the national situation is today, it will require Pan Nigerians like Igbos to reinvigorate the nation’s path to unity”, he said.
Adding that a southeast Igbo president of Nigeria in 2023 will be a right decision as it was critical, he assured everyone to focus on what needs to be done and not to live in doubt.
Speaking on the issue of IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu, they urged the government to heed their request of a political solution to the problem including prerogative of Mercy for Nnamdi Kanus freedom and Amnesty.
“Ndigbo are not secessionists or separatists, Igbos are prepared and deserve the Presidency. It is politically defensible and morally justifiable. To realise this the National Executive council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has established the Political Action Committee to be Chaired by the President General, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, while the Secretary General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR will serve as the Secretary”, he concluded.





