Igbo Presidency 2023 – Is the New Nigerian Group the Answer?
Lately, it seems that any news about Nigeria, be it on social media, print or television, are basically about what is wrong with Nigeria. Rarely would you find any uplifting news anywhere about our home – now my question is, are we really that bad?
Judging from what one sees every day, Nigeria appear rotten to the core and on a fast track to breaking up as is being predicted by many. While some tribes claim marginalization, others point to high crime rates and conflict between tribes as justification for a breakup. There is the herdsmen/farmer menace throughout the country and cries from secessionists who would rather we throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Meanwhile, our elected Igbo officials are fighting each other in an effort to establish a pecking order, regional security apparatus is mostly dysfunctional and predatory whose main function is harassing our youth population who for the most part are trying their best to survive due to lack of jobs. The Igbo landscape is littered with unsolved murders, kidnapping, rape, and tribal conflicts, and lately, these activities are beginning to weigh on some well-meaning Nigerians. In my mind, had the federal government paid only lip service to some of these dysfunctions, we would have some hope, but they seem to care less about any of these challenges. If our president’s antecedents are indicative of what to expect, I would say we are not going to hear from the presidency or any his lieutenants. Nigerian citizens will be left to fend for themselves just as always.
Surprisingly, CNN International airs a lot of good things happening in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. If we have some good happening, why are we inundated with all these news and images of death, dysfunction, decay, and desperation? The answer is simple…Nigerian is ready for a paradigm shift!
Please note that Nigerian has been and is still under military rule. Yes, we have had elections; however, it is apparent that all past presidents, excluding Shehu Shagari and Shonekan, were all former military officers. These individuals could not navigate a democratic environment given their military training. They believed that their views, just like in the military are orders to be followed by the masses, however, when they find out that given our diversity of thoughts, culture and personalities, their orders are not working, they simply check out! They are not used to negotiating with elected officials or the public whom they believe are not intelligent enough to negotiate with. Rather than adjust, they simply check out and remain silent while serving out their term and enriching themselves.
Since 1970, the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba have had clear and direct access to the Nigerian resources and presidency. That is about to change. I believe that people are fed up with the lack of progress in Nigeria and are willing to try something new and different. The #ENDSARS protest was a start of that something new and different. This constant clamor to secede from the Nigerian union is not due to anyone truly wanting to leave, it is a manifestation of people’s frustration for the lack of progress despite abundance of human and natural resources. It represents the understanding that given our current conditions, some segment of our society will never enjoy the wealth of our nation. We all know that leaving the Nigerian union would be froth with tremendous cost due to lost access; but some are willing, at least in principle, to take that chance if things continue to stay the same in Nigeria. I do not and cannot blame that segment despite my belief that seceding from Nigeria for any group is not the answer.
But there is a new and rising voice! It is the diaspora Nigerians! These individuals are getting older and looking to retire to their home country. Unfortunately, they are realizing that retiring in Nigeria is froth with a lot of danger and the total lack of basic amenities. Whereas, they were ok with supporting their families, that is no longer enough. They want more, security, running water, good roads etc. These diaspora folks are demanding to know why we are not seeing any progress after 62 years of independence. Make no mistakes about it, these inquiries are beginning to worry some of our elected officials and was manifested in the news several weeks ago. For me, this is welcome news!
With the next presidential election only 2 years away, I am baffled at the lack of enthusiasm even among the political elite. There is not that heightened noise and loud clamoring from either the Hausa/Fulani or Yoruba for that top post. Yes, there has been one or two people here and there, but you need to realize that these individuals are all isolated persons testing the water. Even some prominent names have shown only timid interest in vying for president in 2023 and the question is why?
The answer lies in the fact that most other tribes understand that the Igbo nation should be given the opportunity to produce the next president of Nigeria. Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” Nigerians have been recycling our former military leaders, and individuals from every tribe but the Igbos and they are beginning to wonder maybe it is time to try something different! To elect an Igbo President. To give the Igbos the chance to pull this drowning nation out of these waters of corruption, high crime and put us on the path of progress. That is why talks about the presidency is mostly muffled – everyone playing a wait-and-see-game, in anticipation of what the Igbos would do.
Surprisingly, it seems the Igbos are asleep on the wheels. Instead of working to make sure we take what belongs to us in 2023, we continue to focus on that shinning object on a hill being advocated by some separatist elements. Nigeria is our country, and we should all behave and act like it.
Which Way Forward for the Igbos:
First, the Igbos must claim Nigeria as belonging to them. We have worked too hard to let our sweat and blood go to waste, however, we need to recognize the only way to achieve collective success is by being together and not divided. The entire Igbo nation need to come together as a group and support only political parties that would pledge to field an Igbo presidential candidate in the 2023 elections. We need to send a message to our major political parties and other Nigerian tribes that our support for the 2023 election, is predicated upon an Igbo man or woman presented as their flag-bearers. This matter is non-negotiable!
It is true that we know of individual Igbo politicians angling for the opportunity to become the anointed Igbo presidential candidate. However, there is one voice with a profile worth reviewing as a true potential person for an Igbo presidency. This lone voice is that of Mazi Samuel Ohuabunwa of the New Nigerian Group. His platform, the New Nigeria Group (NNG) has been conversing the entire country and overseas on a truly needed get acquainted mission to introduce NNG and its Vision, Mission, and Objectives. The groups’ collective belief in creating a country that will work for all, based on equity and fare play is resonating with me. They are currently mobilizing likeminded Nigerian citizens both at home and in the diaspora, all to harness and optimize our natural, and particularly human resources. The goal is to create a Nigeria that not only provide basic comfort for its citizens but be able to compete globally. For now, I am urging all Nigerians of goodwill to go to the New Nigerian Groups’ website www.newnigeriagroup.ng and peruse some of the group’s information. From my personal perspective, Mazi Ohuabunwa is attractive as a candidate for some of the following demonstrated characteristics:
1. He is not a politician but is someone who has worked in the political arena and has a great understanding of how it works.
2. He is an outsider who does not owe any allegiance or political favors to any political allies within and outside of the government.
3. He is committed to bringing in a new and fresh approach to governance in Nigeria.
4. His commitment to tap into the huge reservoir of Nigerian specialists around the world will bode well for the advancement of our nation into a first world category.
5. His outreach is not limited to one tribe. He has and continues to reach out to all tribes to unite the country understanding that only a united Nigeria will prosper and grow.
6. He has promised to make sure that his cabinet is a true reflection of the nation where all ethnic groups are represented.
We have tried recycling our former military heads of states it got us nowhere, we have tried recycling our political elite, and again it has gotten us nowhere. Now is the time to decide whether Nigeria and Nigerians are all insane as defined by Albert Einstein.
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