IF THE IGBOS MUST HAVE A SHOT AT THE PRESIDENCY

TRUISM, Nigeria is multi ethnic. And ethnicity to a large extent, has not been relegated to the background by Nigerian nationalism. It is in the best interest that every Nigerian would be best served by a fair and equitable Nigeria. A Nigeria that is restructured would serve the overall interests of all Nigerians including Igbos and other minority ethnic group. But before Nigeria is restructured and before such a restructuring yields the desired good Governance, these groups, especially the Igbos must s relative existence in unity.
Yes, if the Igbos must have a shot at the presidency, then they must put their acts together and wage a common front in their quest. The several clannishness of who calls the shot in their political and even socio-cultural hemisphere has continued to militate against their goal. They seem to have too many leaders as players in the frontiers with followers of no clear direction scattered around them.
It is a known fact that the civil war left many chronic wounds. But the Igbos have survived and thrived. Igbo may have been hampered by national structural defects and systemic injustices. But they have flourished and have the economic heft to surmount subsisting inequities.
Though the Igbos have enterprise and imagination but collectively they lack political foresightedness. And that is why the Igbo nation seems vulnerable despite all its gifts. Igbo have a good heart, but they must come to Nigerian politics with a calm head. Recall that the divert views of the different pressure group and political players like the INC, Nnamdi Kanu and others over time have continued to instill doubt in the minds of other ethnic group in the country as to the clear intention of the Igbo struggle. And this has orchestrated even the federal government through the military to clamp down on IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kano over time.
It would be recalled that the clamour for the Biafra nation when Nnamdi Kanu has regained his freedom from incarceration some years ago suffered some set back when the Nigeria military launched its 'Operation Python Dance 1. Since then, various stakeholders especially from the Southeast region has continued to voice out opinions and appeals to resolve the issue and champion the way forward.
The consciousness that Nigerian nation is an indivisible entity made to grow and flourish in unity despite our differences actually orchestrated the Igbo National Council (INC) through an appeal to the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai to end the launched 'Operation Python Dance Il' and withdraw his men from the Southeast region.
Back then, according to the INC, if it his appeal is not adhered to within twenty-one days (21) the Igbo National Council (INC), will petition and also sue the Nigeria Army and the Federal government to the International Criminal Court, ICC, for genocide against the harmless people of the Southeast Nigeria.
Allegedly, it was reported that the military personnel, who stormed Kanu's home with an armoured vehicle were resisted by some members of the pro-Biafra group.
Also, reports from the spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful at that time stated that, some IPOB members were alleged to be reportedly shot in the process, and while five youths were killed, about 30 were injured while Chibuike Paul Okeke, Obinna James Amadi, Valintin Azuka Ezego, Ikechukwu John Okoronkwo, Umeh Frank Ugochukwu, Ezego Sylvanus Ifeanyi and Dike Victor among others escape from the invaders. He alledged that, the soldiers and police came to kill their leader who hails from lhiala Local Government area of Anambra State, Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.
"The soldiers and Police came to kill our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his compound at Afar4ukvvu Umuahia and started shooting sporadically and killed five people and up to thirty people with bullet wounds, after attacking our people thev went off, they came with 5 hilux vans" he said.


The collective psyche of lgbos may have residual scars. But they cannot leave the improvement of their sense of belonging to the other groups alone. Igbos are too entrenched and too widely spread in Nigeria to seek an acrimonious divorce. So they must assert themselves in politics as they have in street commerce. They must insinuate themselves into the centre of power. A sense of alienation and victim-hood may fill with indignation, and could be internally comforting, but it cannot improve the fortunes of anyone.
So you can understand why Ohaneze would rather have devolution of powers. It is perhaps not even convinced that an Igbo presidency would have the status ofa Yoruba or Hausa presidency. Because a lingering paranoia by other ethnic groups about Igbos could mean that such a presidency would be Igbo only by name. But Ohanaeze should shrink and fail to articulate Igbo concerns and priorities properly. It can also not afford to carry on with the temperament of a spoilt child.
An Igbo presidency could lack Igbo content and psychotherapeutic significance if it is not co-midwife by Igbos. Ohaneze cannot operate with thé volatility of the IPOB. The spoilt child discards discretion and compromise to service his ego. So he smashes the candy on the floor. Because, it came a little late or did not come in the right quantity.
However, while the Igbos have legitimate rights to protest their obvious marginalization, just as other parts of the country also cry of being marginalized in one way or the other, the solution does not lie in breaking into pieces, but of unity in diversity through consensual restructuring.
Bonano will submit that, Nigeria can achieve greatness as one indivisible nation. The best way to accommodate every section of this country is to restructure the country even through mass referendum or the implementation of the popular and well articulated provisions of policies and procedures endorsed through a constitutional conference that promotes the wishes and aspirations of the people.