The Igbo Elders under the auspices of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum FCT, Abuja has stated that the existence of Nigeria as a corporate entity may be seriously threatened by any attempt to deny the South, especially the South East the opportunity to produce the next President in 2023. The Elders stated this after their meeting on Wednesday May 4, 2022 in Abuja.
The Igbo Elders met and discussed some crucial issues, including the zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the South and other matters that have far reaching consequences on the stability, peace, unity, progress and development of Nigeria.
In a Press statement jointly signed by its Chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Secretary, Professor Charles Nwekeaku, the Elders resolved that they are totally against, in whatever guise and eloquence, the idea of another Northerner succeeding Gen. Buhari because it is a direct invitation for aggravation of crisis, conflicts, separatist demands by various sections of the country, among other unimaginable violence.
The statement read in part, “It has come to our notice that some of our sons and daughters are colluding shamelessly with some unreasonable and dishonest Nigerians to sabotage our collective efforts to produce the next President of Nigeria of the South East extraction.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum will not only pursue to a logical conclusion the sanctions of these shameless renegades and both leaders, who accept to be running mates to any Presidential candidate not from the South, as well as those who are working hard to sabotage our efforts masquerading as Coordinators and promoters of presidential aspirants outside the South East Zone, but also curse them and their families publicly.”
The statement further stated, “We want to appeal to other Nigerians to join Chief Edwin. E. Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr. Butrus Porgu and other patriots to ensure that all political parties zone presidency to the South East not just for the sake of justice, equity and fairness, but for stability, progress, unity and survival of Nigeria as a corporate entity.
We encourage the presidential aspirants from the South East to remain resolute, persistent, focused, painstaking and close ranks until victory is assured. Igbo Elders are with you and are prepared to work with you in Liaison with Ohanaeze World Wide and other patriotic Nigerians to ensure that the right thing is done, that is the emergence of Nigeria President of South Africa Extraction in 2023″.
The statement continued, “That we maintain our unalloyed support for the demand of the Southern Governors Forum, the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, the Afenifere, the Niger Delta Forum, Ohanaeze World Wide among other credible stake holders and organisations, that all political parties in the country should zone the 2023 Presidency to the South, and possibly micro-zone it to the South East for the sake of justice, equity and fairness.
We commend Chief Edwin. K. Clark, Leader of the Southern/Middle Belt Forum and PANDEF, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of Afenifere, Dr. Butrus Porgu, Leader of the Middle Belt Forum, and other prominent and patriotic Nigerians who have spoken the truth and publicity demanded that all political parties in the country should zone the 2023 presidency to the South East not just for the sake of justice, equity and fairness, but also to permanently heal the wound of the civil war that has grossly marginalised the Igbos in the country’s scheme of things”, the statement concluded.
