When preparation unites with expectations and opportunity – results happen. For every feat, there must be diligent preparation and effort. Nothing takes shape in disarray, grumbling and victim complex. We, the Igbo, cannot sit by the Rivers of Babylon and lament our way to the presidency. We cannot have what we are not ready or prepared for.

If work had been put in by Igbo political leaders in the past six years — forging alliances and mobilising consciences — the right atmosphere would have been created for the zoning of the presidency to the south-east by the foremost political parties in 2023. The mood today says otherwise. The Igbo are not prepared for the presidency — even though deserving of it.

I met with some of these leaders years ago. I shared my concerns about the self-relegation of the Igbo in national politics and suggested ways of generating a high-voltage flow for the realisation of the ever-elusive aspiration of presidency by the Igbo. I was discouraged by them. Well, I later found out their reason. Their interest was survivalist, and not about the Igbo.

These same people cry ‘’the Igbo are marginalised and Buhari is Fulanising Nigeria’’, but will work hysterically for another Fulani in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge as president. The fact is if any of the political parties happens to cede the presidential ticket to the south-east, these Igbo political elite will still tarry with the same presidential aspirant from the north-east. That is, survivalist politics — which negates the interest of the whole for that of the individual.

This brings me to the question. What did the PDP do to deserve the loyalty of the Igbo? What did the PDP do for the Igbo in 16 years when the party was in power? The Igbo have trudged with the PDP through thorns and thistles, yet have nothing to show for their years of blind loyalty. Absolutely nothing! I challenge anyone to list the infrastructural achievements of the PDP federal government in the south-east in 16 years.

I have searched frantically, but found nothing. The much-vaunted upgrading of Enugu airport to international standards under the PDP government was a hoax. The airport was only converted from a motor park to an aviation igloo. The Buhari administration later had to shut down the airport for repairs owing to the treacherous runway. The second Niger Bridge was only in the works on paper. But today, the bridge is nearing completion under an APC government that the Igbo do not fancy. Onitsha-Enugu expressway is also nearing completion as well as other projects by the federal government in the south-east.


What did the PDP do to deserve the loyalty of the Igbo?

It is really mindboggling trying to situate the reason for the Igbo’s love affair with the PDP. Some Igbo politicians today are racketing for inland ports in the south-east. They went on the accustomed refrain of nepotism when a dry port was established in Kaduna by the Buhari administration. But these people were in government years ago – for 16 years — what did they do for the south-east? Nothing!

The Igbo keep tailing the PDP through its floundering and wobbles. Even within the party, the south-east is henpecked. Yet, the Igbo sustain the romance.

As I said in the column: ‘In 2003, south-east voted for Obasanjo against Ojukwu – why’, the Igbo’s love for the PDP even conquered Odumegwu Ojukwu. In the 2003 presidential election in which Ojukwu, the famed Igbo leader, vied, the south-east voted tremendously for his rival – Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP. In fact, Ojukwu’s ‘’Igbo party’’, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) could not even win governorship elections in the south-east except in Anambra — the late politician’s native home.

In Anambra, Obasanjo had 466,866 votes which represent 54 percent of the entire count while Ojukwu had 279,378 – 34 percent of the total tally. In Abia, Obasanjo had 386,748 votes (51.7 percent) while Ojukwu had 260,899 votes (34.9 percent). In Ebonyi, Obasanjo had 752,823 votes (94.5 percent) but Ojukwu polled only 20,525 votes (02.6 percent) within the same range as Muhammadu Buhari who had 16,308 votes in the state.

In Enugu, Obasanjo had 897,721 votes (79.7 percent) while Ojukwu had 177,050 votes (15.7 percent). And in Imo, Obasanjo polled 656,861 votes (64.6 percent), but Ojukwu had 281,114 votes (27.7 percent). The late Igbo leader’s second attempt in 2007 was also unsuccessful.

Obasanjo trounced Ojukwu on his own turf. How intriguing? Today and like in the past, the Igbo elite consort with the PDP for their own survival – and not for the advancement of the Igbo. The beneficiaries of the PDP years were the elite who had sizeable representations in government. The south-east’s liaison with the PDP subsists, yet no commensurate dividends in terms of economic and infrastructural development for the region.

The south-east regaining its place means it must look beyond a solitary party. It must put itself in the thick of things. And to sit at the table, it must wrest itself from the enchantment of the PDP. It must forge new alliances – a new political and social concordat.

I ask again, what did the PDP do to deserve the loyalty of the Igbo?

https://www.thecable.ng/what-did-pdp-do-to-deserve-the-loyalty-of-igbos/amp

Lalasticlala

Their matter be like that of an abusive relationship in which the abused just can't understand or give a reasonable explanation as to why she has nothing to show for her longstanding love, devotion and loyalty. Instead, na abuse, humiliation, and neglect be her portion in the relationship. In other words, na toxic relationship.

There is no loyalty, its just hatred for Buhari and APC.
Even the SS has moved on from the 2015 defeat but igbos feel it will bruise their ego if they do away with PDP and PDP is using that to marginalize the Igbos.

My advice for Ndigbo is that if PDP didn't give them presidential ticket come 2023, they should kick the party out of the region, they shouldnt reason the embarrassment and mockery they will face from other region.

Igbo will still work agains Pius when the time comes

It is the principle of the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

With this principle, the children of hate who ordinarily do not have a direction, will bend to your will.

These same people cry ‘’the Igbo are marginalised and Buhari is Fulanising Nigeria’’, but will work hysterically for another Fulani in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge as president.

The shout of Fulani this, fulani that, ipob, Biafra etc are just measures just to paint APC black to enable PDP gain power. Those people have allowed hatred, bitterness and envy to becloud every sense of their reasoning. They can even cut their noses to spites their faces. Ndi ara!

Nothing will make me vote PDP in 2023 as an Igbo man
Very useless party that has done nothing for the advancement of Igbo other than self serving appointments.
Where are rails
Where are airports
Where are inland ports
Where are roads
Where are industries

If APC don’t project an Igbo man especially Umahi, i as an Igbo man will vote any other party that is not apc and pdp.

Moghalu will then have my vote

Nothing

This article is not different from his useless write ups, igbo this igbo that, you need to be an igboman to understand the feeling of an igboman and the reason why he makes most of his decisions.the writer claim to be igbo, his articles have always been laced with hatred and bigotry. Yet to see him write an article about the current deplorable situation of the government and the economy.

What did APC do that igbo refuse to be loyal to them

Their problem is not the political party but hatred and pride they got in themselves. Ask them questions they will insult you,move away from their believe or ideas they will start to eliminate you or kill you .it is happening in Igbo land now where they don't want to listen to contrary opinions the next is to plan killing and destructions. Igbos are the most confused and stupid tribe in Nigeria.

Advocate500:
This article is not different from his useless write ups, igbo this igbo that, you need to be an igboman to understand the feeling of an igboman and the reason why he makes most of his decisions.the writer claim to be igbo, his articles have always been laced with hatred and bigotry. Yet to see him write an article about the current deplorable situation of the government and the economy.

Oga what had pdp did for you Igbos to deserve your loyalty or it is just to satisfy you hatred Emotional feelings against Apc ,Buhari or Tinubu?

adekolaelect:
Oga what had pdp did for you Igbos to deserve your loyalty or it is just to satisfy you hatred Emotional feelings against Apc ,Buhari or Tinubu?

oga thanks for asking me that question without insult, firstly i dont believe in political party as an igboman, i supported buhari in 2015 even when most of my brothers criticise me ,until buhari assumed position of government i was in support apc ,sincerely speaking Buhari utterance made me have a change of mind, is not about party ,most of us do not believe in individual politics but a system that works. U can't see me on this forum promoting anyone or group of people, i am igbo also, you can see why i said the writer is very stupid for generalizing?

Advocate500:
oga thanks for asking me that question without insult, firstly i dont believe in political party as an igboman, i supported buhari in 2015 even when most of my brothers criticise me ,until buhari assumed position of government i was in support apc ,sincerely speaking Buhari utterance made me have a change of mind, is not about party ,most of us do not believe in individual politics but a system that works. U can't see me on this forum promoting anyone or group of people, i am igbo also, you can see why i said the writer is very stupid for generalizing?

thank you !!! Pls can you tell me what Tinubu had done badly in politics and governance that made Igbos to hate him or they are just doing it bcs they don't have any vibrant politician like Tinubu in Igbo land?

Or what APC did to deserve hatred from Igbos

adekolaelect:
thank you !!! Pls can you tell me what Tinubu had done badly in politics and governance that made Igbos to hate him or they are just doing it bcs they don't have any vibrant politician like Tinubu in Igbo land?

pure jealousy. Nothing else.

Ebubu:
pure jealousy. Nothing else.

Thank you.

adekolaelect:
thank you !!! Pls can you tell me what Tinubu had done badly in politics and governance that made Igbos to hate him or they are just doing it bcs they don't have any vibrant politician like Tinubu in Igbo land?

oga can we look beyond ethnic or tribal sentiment in electing our leaders this time around? I have nothing against Tinubu sincerely speaking, if he have contested in 2015 against Jonathan i would have voted for him because of my mindset as at that time, Buhari government have opened most us eyes which Tinubu is instrumental to his success, the country deserves more than what Tinubu can offer at this point in time.

Talking about hatred against Tinubu, most of the criticism against Tinubu is coming from his tribesmen, forget nairaland forum, is faceless forum, ojudu is not an igboman, same with abiola daughter on Arise tv. oga the people of Nigeria deserve better after what all we have been through pls.

There is no sympathy for the PDP..

Did you really expect massive decamp to APC in 2015, when there was a Jonathan from the southern region?

Did you really expect massive decamp despite Buhari's poor performance in 2019 alongside a recognized SE person as VP?

If APC had performed well in its seven years, it would have made massive inroad into the SE with a clean slate election in 2023, it's unfortunate the reverse is the case as the SE sees it as "we may not have been wrong initially".. while others including some SE persons may have come to a conclusion "the SE may have been right all along".

Why play the guilty card on the SE with the biased article like the APC did wonders while pushing a narrative on rewarding persons whom were part and parcel the reason for the terrible economic situation. If they could not help the situation while being in power and extremely close to power, what new thing does one expect ?

Toh

Investigative:
What did APC do that igbo refuse to be loyal to them

Las las, na you still lose on both fronts. PDP wont give you ticket, don't even think of APC. Biafra, you won't get. Na your grand loss las las. Your wailing shall commence proper by next year.

Esseite:
There is no sympathy for the PDP..

Did you really expect massive decamp to APC in 2015, when there was a Jonathan from the southern region?

Did you really expect massive decamp despite Buhari's poor performance?

If APC had performed well in its seven years, it would have made massive inroad into the SE with a clean slate election in 2023, it's unfortunate the reverse is the case as the SE sees it as "we may not have been wrong initially".. while others including some SE persons may have may have come to a conclusion the SE was right all along.

Why play the guilty card on the SE with the biased article like the APC did wonders while pushing a narrative on rewarding persons whom were part and parcel the reason for the terrible economic situation. If they could not help the situation while being in power and extremely close to power, what new thing does one expect ?

jdhlsbdibfkhdosnhdjdnnajhfolabhd jcosbsibckosj


That's the trash you wrote up there

Gbagura:
jdhlsbdibfkhdosnhdjdnnajhfolabhd jcosbsibckosj


That's the trash you wrote up there

You write with so much anger

Who collect your bread ?

So Igbos should leave PDP for what ? APC ? If there is an alternative then Igbos might consider


The Igbo leaders in APC how have they been treated ? Are they carried along ?

After what APC did and is doing to Igbos in APC u want more to join ?

Why has Joe igbokwe been calm all of a sudden ? Wmh

PrinceOfLagos:

I write with so much anger

Who collect your bread ?

Ọmọ etí òkun, hafa?

Gbagura:
Ọmọ etí òkun, hafa?

Prove to me you're Yoruba and stop using Google translator to write Yoruba

The answer is simple...

For the years that PDP was in power, slept with our eyes closed.

But not so with APC. Had it not been for ESN, I’m sure that fulani backed terrorists shall have overrun the entire Southeast while Buhari would be in Abuja saying “I’m Shocked”.

We choose life over infrastructure.

Who knows, maybe he is raising the infrastructure preparing for when Futa Jalonian itinerants fools will finally take over Igboland so that they can be using it.

PDP never called us 5 percent.

PDP never called us ‘dot in a circle.

Even in our day to day relationships, we would always choose the person that gives us peace of mind and happiness over the rich brat who spoils us with gifts but is toxic and disrespectful and full of himself.

So, there you go...

That’s why we will always choose PDP over APC; worst-still if they mistakenly hand their presidential ticket to Tinubu with his legion of touts.

PDP never treated igbos as lesser Nigerians.

Tinubu knew his shortest route to become the president is sabotage a Southern president so I think igbos have a better of producing a candidate for presidency in PDP if not now then then in the nearest Future.


When Jonathan was contesting there was no southern presidency but now certain people wants to contest there's suddenly southern presidency.

We understand this blackmail you guys are doing but we see through your fake sympathy.

We do not want the PDP to zone its ticket to SE without APC doing so because that would give APC a flawless victory. And yes the rest of Nigeria hates the Igbos that much.

The Igbos were the most prosperous under PDP to the extent they started saying Igbos hijacked power by proxy

Michelle70:
There is no loyalty, its just hatred for Buhari and APC.
Even the SS has moved on from the 2015 defeat but igbos feel it will bruise their ego if they do away with PDP and PDP is using that to marginalize the Igbos.

My advice for Ndigbo is that if PDP didn't give them presidential ticket come 2023, they should kick the party out of the region, they shouldnt reason the embarrassment and mockery they will face from other region.

nzeobi:
PDP never treated igbos as lesser Nigerians.

Tinubu knew his shortest route to become the president is sabotage a Southern president so I think igbos have a better of producing a candidate for presidency in PDP if not now then then in the nearest Future.


When Jonathan was contesting there was no southern presidency but now certain people wants to contest there's suddenly southern presidency.

Lol, so 23 years is not enough for the nearest future?

If PDP can’t give the Ibos presidential ticket since 1999-2023, what is the assurance that they will give it in the future?

PDP leadership are very wise. They are just using the Ibos for the numbers. Just tell the Ibo populace that APC is an Ewedu Fulani party and 90% of them will vote against it because Igbo act based on impulse of what they are told and not why it is so.

The usual rhetorics is that APC is a Fulani Ewedu party, but it beat sane logic that the Ibos voted Atiku Fulani in 2019 and will still vote Atiku Fulani in 2023 if he wins the PDP ticket.

So what is the rationale behind all this? Could it be that PDP jazzed them or Wetin?

LegendHero:


Lol, so 23 years is not enough for the nearest future?

If PDP can’t give the Ibos presidential ticket since 1999-2023, what is the assurance that they will give it in the future?

PDP leadership are very wise. They are just using the Ibos for the numbers. Just tell the Ibo populace that APC is an Ewedu Fulani party and 90% of them will vote against it because Igbo act based on impulse of what they are told and not why it is so.

The usual rhetorics is that APC is a Fulani Ewedu party, but it beat sane logic that the Ibos voted Atiku Fulani in 2019 and will still vote Atiku Fulani in 2023 if he wins the PDP ticket.

So what is the rationale behind all this? Could it be that PDP jazzed them or Wetin?

Your mind is already programmed for the venom you just poured, I can only debate with you when you counter all that I said or some of it

DMerciful:
We understand this blackmail you guys are doing but we see through your fake sympathy.

We do not want the PDP to zone its ticket to SE without APC doing so because that would give APC a flawless victory. And yes the rest of Nigeria hates the Igbos that much.

The Igbos were the most prosperous under PDP to the extent they started saying Igbos hijacked power by proxy

blackmail? Lolz
First I never said SE should vote for APC, I just said vote against PDP.
Secondly, why should the ewedu and amala party give SE their ticket.

Btw, I just want PDP to respect SE region who has been loyal for 23years but since u guys ain't interested in the respect that u deserve from PDP, u will rather vote cos of hatred.

FYI, weda u vote against PDP or not, its likely that they will loose 2023 so this is the time where they need u more than u need them. Also u have to go back to history and check, it wasn't Nigerians that hate igbos, its igbos that hate Nigerians