Former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and former Minister of Education, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, have urged Ndigbo (the Igbo people) to prepare for the 2015 presidential election. They made the call during a meeting in Awka, Anambra State, on Saturday.
Call for Unity and Strategic Positioning
Ezeife, who spoke at the event, emphasized that the Igbo should not be left behind in the race for the nation's top job. He argued that the zone has the competence and the numbers to produce a president. He also stressed the need for unity among the Igbo, both at home and in the diaspora.
Madubuike, on his part, said that the Igbo must begin to position themselves strategically for the 2015 election. He noted that the zone has been marginalized in the past and should now take concrete steps to change the narrative. He called on all Igbo leaders to come together and work towards a common goal.
Equity and Fairness in Nigerian Politics
The two leaders also spoke on the principle of equity and fairness in Nigerian politics. They argued that power should rotate to the South-East, which has not produced a president since the return to democracy in 1999. They cited the examples of other zones that have had their turns and called on the major political parties to consider the South-East in their presidential primaries.
They also urged the Igbo to register en masse to vote and to participate actively in the electoral process. They warned against apathy and stressed the importance of making their voices heard.
Reactions and Next Steps
The meeting was attended by various Igbo leaders, including traditional rulers, politicians, and community leaders. Many of them expressed support for the call and pledged to work towards the actualization of an Igbo presidency in 2015.
In the coming months, the group plans to hold more meetings and consultations across the South-East to build consensus and mobilize support. They also intend to engage with political parties and other stakeholders to press for the zoning of the presidency to the region.
