Ahead of the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria, many political parties as well as groups are springing up; politicians from different ethnic groups especially past Senators, Ministers, and Governors of different states are warming up for the number one political office in the country.
Out of the six geopolitical zones in the country, each zone feels it is their inalienable right and turn to produce the next President that would replace President Muhammadu Buhari when his 8-year tenue elapses in 2023.
Amongst the zones, which feels terribly marginalised is the South-Eastern geopolitical zone, and this has led to lots of political agitations rising from the region, and one of the agitating group is the Owerri Zone Group – a socio-political association at forefront.
Africa Daily News, New York in an exclusive media chat with Chief Better Joseph Ekeh, chairman of Adavinn Executive Hotel and Suites, Owerri – Imo State, Chief Executive Officer of Alaowerri Restaurant – London, and one of the chieftains of Owerri Zone this evening, and on behalf of the group bared his mind on the presidential matter.
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Africa Daily News, New York: Chief Ekeh, there have been constant agitations in different zones in Nigeria as regards which particular zone should be allowed to produce the next President of Nigeria, and you have been representing your socio-political group to push this agitation to limelight. What actually necessitated this quest?
Chief Ekeh: Thank you for the question. This has become a nagging issue in our polity in Nigeria, and it is as a result of the marginalisation that the South-Eastern geopolitical zone has been witnessing post-the civil war in 1970. After Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of the blessed memory, no Igbo person had been allowed to become President of Nigeria. The North had had their shots several times, and still enjoying the position currently, the West and South-South also had been given chances. Only Ndigbo had been denied this opportunity for over many years.
Africa Daily News, New York: Chief, when you said ‘Only Ndigbo had been denied this opportunity for over many years’. Did you mean that Ndigbo had been disenfranchised?
Chief Ekeh: On the surface, Ndigbo were not disenfranchised but strategically, we were rendered politically inactive by the establishment or powers that be.
Africa Daily News, New York: Chief, there is an argument that posits in most recent times that the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is considered to be an Igbo man and going by that Ndigbo had also taken a shot at the presidency not quite long.
Chief Ekeh: That argument which I can’t claim oblivious of is already dead on arrival, and those making such cunning argument know it.
Africa Daily News, New York: From your point on that argument, it seems you see it as effort in futility.
Chief Ekeh: Of course! It is effort in futility. The country is divided into six geopolitical zones namely; the North Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-East, South-South, and South-West. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan hails from the South-South speaks a different language and culture entirely different from the South-East but because of politics, he is now suddenly from South-East because they want to deny Ndigbo the presidency this time again.
Africa Daily News, New York: From our findings, Dr. Jonathan bears an Igbo name – Ebele, and identifies with Ndigbo. At least he did that while in office. If he wasn’t really Igbo why did he fully identify with Ndigbo?
Chief Ekeh: I identify with Africa Daily News, New York in America, and even follow your publications religiously, do that make me an American or permanent resident in the United States?(He quickly continues). These points, some unscrupulous politicians from other zones in the country are rising for selfish reasons, as smart as they appear on the surface, I can bet you will not fly when fully subjected to scrutiny.
Africa Daily News, New York: Why do you honestly think so, chief?
Chief Ekeh: Because, I have been in partisan politics long enough to know spot propaganda when I see one, and how short-lived it could be when the real issue comes forth.
Africa Daily News, New York: There’s so much instability in Nigeria arising from political crises and insecurity; do you think this can in anyway be resolved with an Igbo man or woman emerging the President of Nigeria in 2023?
Chief Ekeh: Absolutely, the only way to save Nigeria as a country from the imminent break-up is to allow an Igbo President to emerge.
Africa Daily News, New York: Chief, what informed your opinion?
Chief Ekeh: It is simple, in the last 7-years the agitation for secession in the South-East had been pushed vigorously more like it was during the trying period in the country which eventually led to the civil war in 1967. And if we failed to nip this issue in the bud once and for all by allowing Ndigbo to produce the next Nigerian President, we would only be looking for a way too certain to collapse the country abruptly, and this I can boldly tell any political leader who has the interest of Nigeria that it won’t do us any good as a country no matter from which perspective we view it from.
Africa Daily News, New York: What do you think is the best possible way to actualise the Igbo interest?
Chief Ekeh: It is not rocket science, let all the political parties in Nigeria especially the two major parties – APC(All Progressives Congress) and PDP (Peoples Democratic Party)zone the their primary elections to candidates only from the South-East. That will ensure that the contest is restricted to Ndigbo alone.
Africa Daily News, New York: Interesting. Chief, it’s been quite an awesome chat with you, and we hope that your zone is able to actualise their plan in 2023. Thank you for making out time to speak with us.
Chief Ekeh: Thank you very much for having me as well.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
