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Former National chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Okwesilieze Nwodo has said Igbo leaders will join forces with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to demand Biafra Republic if the South-East region is denied a shot at Presidency in 2023.
Kanu has been vocal in the demand for an independent state of Biafra over claim that Igbos are relegated to second class citizens in Nigeria.
He disclosed this in an interview with reporters where he equally lauded Tanko Yakasai, elder statesman, who endorsed Igbo Presidency in 2023.
Nwodo said the Igbo had underdone continued neglect for over 50 years, urging those who desire a brighter future for their children to cast a vote for a president from Igbo extraction.
He said, “Yakassi’s call is very fair, and that is the correct thing. In the first republic, the country was led by Tafawa Balewa, in the second republic, Shehu Shagari led it, and then, those of us in PDP made a compelling case to move the presidency to the south-east, because even the military people were all from the north, apart from Aguiyi Ironsi who presided over for a short time.
“For 50 years now, we have been persecuted for fighting for freedom. When will this marginalisation stop? Anybody who loves Nigeria and who wishes Nigeria well should go for Igbo Presidency in 2023 for unity, fairness, equity and for Nigeria to move forward.
“It is only an Igbo man who will not marginalise any part of Nigeria because we constitute the semen that holds the country together. We are the only tribe that you find in every nook and cranny of Nigeria; Igbo are doing business and developing wherever they are as if it is their home.
“I don’t believe that the Igbo are not united; there has never been a time when any region produced a consensus candidate; everybody emerged through primary elections.
“There is no zone that has produced a candidate by consensus. It doesn’t matter how many people are interested in it. They will be subjected to party primaries, and the person with the highest vote wins.
“I agree with Nnamdi Kanu in everything he says about the marginalisation of the Igbo. He, more than any other person, has put it on the international map. If Nigeria tells the elites from the south-east that they would be treated as second class citizens in Nigeria, and that they can never be president, almost all of them will go with Kanu to fight for Biafra.
“Anybody who wants to be a second-class citizen can support whoever he wants. Any Igbo man who wants to bequeath a secured future for himself and generation yet unborn should support this call for Igbo presidency.
“In the spirit of fairness and equity, Nigeria should give the presidency to the south-east in 2023; otherwise, we will join him and fight for Biafra.”
Source: Sahara Reporters
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.