Why Igbos Must Neither Gamble Nor Compromise On Nigeria Presidency

Our Best ‘ll be Good Enough

Only when lgbos are prepared to work together, celebrate or reward excellence, respect one another, irrespective of political party affiliations or divide, will they be able to have the trust and needed support/confidence of the other regions to take the much desired Presidency of this country. It is taken not given, but with all major stakeholders, believing in the project and carried along.

It is so because lgbos have a lot to overcome, as a people, in their quest to democratically lead this country, to change the perception, bigotry and long established ugly disunity, especially among their political class, before they can earn the said trust or confidence of the other regions, who must work with them to take it.

Unfortunately, with the current situation or practice of divisiveness, wanton antagonistic approach, castigation’s, politics of hate and the pull him/her down syndrome, which characterize almost everything we do, it ‘ll be very difficult for us to take or produce an lgbo President, unless we are given, but at a very huge cost.

Because lgbos are politically disadvantaged in this country, given the current political structure we operate, there’s so much to prove and they must work twice as hard to change the deep rooted disdain, fear, perception and impression created or nursed, over the years, about them, by the people of the other major tribes. Uninformed cynics who may quarrel with the above assertion, need to be tutored about the fact that lgbos have the least number of states, therefore, receive the least revenue from the federal allocation and are the least represented at the federal level. They cannot go it alone as it currently stands.

Igbos are also alleged to be greedy, cheaters, arrogant, corrupt, quarrelsome, tenacious, assertive, unserious and lacking in transparent leadership, they have a lot of work to do and must put forward or support those of them who are known across the country, to have done well in public office. One who is loved by the people and have good ties or reach across the country to clinch it.

In politics, strength is determined by numbers and we do not have it, going by the way Nigeria is structured at the moment. Yes, lgbos are the only major tribe that’s yet to give a shot at the presidency of this country, but we cannot take it by being so divided in our approach. We must rally around he or she who has the pedigree, capacity, contacts, sell-able to people of the other regions.

Igbos cannot afford to gamble over who becomes President from their extraction whether in 2023 or anytime in future. The only choice or option must be to select and support the best from amongst them who can win election outside lgboland. I mean the one with sound political background, who had been tested and proven in positions of authority, a great democratic leader with concrete monumental achievements on ground, to show.

It is true that, Igbos as a people, have been blessed with many bad, selfish, corrupt leaders, most of who were/are so unpopular with the people and never really got democratically elected by the people. We know these people and will stop them this time around.

As a contingent measure, lgbos must start rewarding excellence in leadership as the only way to encourage the bad ones, to either, change, behave themselves or disappear. To continue to recycle the same old criminally corrupt politicians while the people helplessly watch, can no longer be a norm or acceptable in the southeast.

Yes, we have and know them who can be President from lgbo extraction. That we have so many criminals who were and are in power or positions of authority, does not mean there are no selfless good leaders who are doing overwhelmingly well in their service to humanity. Those who are transforming cities, building bridges, empowering people and investing for future generations.

All we need do at this time, is take a census of all our elected or appointed officials in their various offices, at both Federal & state levels, assess, examine or investigate their levels of commitment, sincerity of purpose, transparency in service and achievements in office. That way we can narrow down to an effective, people oriented leader we can put forward and support at the appropriate time.

Those ex this and that who had opportunities, but did nothing for the people, must not be allowed to continue to distort the system or process of identifying a true leader for the people.

We must strive to be part of this process and help in spreading the information, down to the people. We live in the technology age and do not need to leave the comfort of our homes or offices to know who is where and what they did or are doing to earn our respect and support. Every Ministry, department or state has websites we can access/google for factual information about what we want at this crucial time.

Okwadike