An Igbo President Nigerians want to see in 2023.
By Abu Maigoro
January 09, 2022
I heard with one ear from a reliable source that the political consultations have begun, the political strategy is gradually gaining momentum, and the interests to produce the next President from Igbo extraction are eminently expanding. I want to make it public that we haven’t witnessed suchlike political ambition from the great sons of Ndigbo before now. And we haven’t seen the level of intellectual curiosity and the readiness from their elites until now. All their political engagement endears toward actualizing a longtime dream. This is the first time in the history of the Igbo nation that they will begin to talk with one single voice in support of their own. Unlike in the past when Igbo political actors always lead the campaign in favor of others even when there are credible people that have every requirement needed to accomplish in every state in the south East.
The only challenge I surmise is the fact that those credible people are perhaps not well known in the political space in the country or they’re known but they haven’t shown willingness to contest. But it is in the best interest of Ndigbo to exploit them through mass mobilization. And I believe using the current political technology & strategy would make awareness much more easily and faster within a short and critical time. Especially now that Nigeria is earnestly craving credible people from the southern part of the country.
However, the possible challenges waiting for any person coming from Igbo extraction seeking for the job of the President are few but loads. As per as Nigeria is concerned, the fear of splitting if an Igbo man becomes the number one citizen is no longer a topic. Because Igbo people can’t afford another civil war and they can’t cruelty incur calamity to fall on their massive investments across the country. An average Igbo man I know would rather maintain his investments anywhere in the country than complicate his trade to unrealized Biafra.
In all manner of solidarity, Nigerians will like to see a President from Igbo extraction who is a true nationalist and have a good character. Someone who secure massive support from south East. In another word, someone who moved away from the mountain of disunity among Igbo political actors. Nigerians will love to see someone who is willing to heal the scar and wound of the Biafran civil war. That person must come to terms and disappoints all forms of common misconceptions and negative perceptions about the Igbo people. And the person contesting the office of the President must publicly disassociate and repudiate himself from IPOB and their activities in the south East. That person must have the ability to address the economic challenges facing the country. It is obvious, an Igbo man has this quality of solving the needs of remote areas by establishing businesses across nook and cranny. That said, he could do better in handling the economy if given the opportunity to serve.
Also, Nigerians want to see someone who will stand firm and defend the country and secure its territory. Someone who is willing to invest massively in infrastructures, power, health, agriculture, and education. The person who will promote ICT and diversify our economy. Someone who has the capacity to reduce importation and expand exportation. Someone who will strengthen foreign policy and international relations.
In conclusion, the polity in 2023 is going to be interesting if the power brokers allow the masses to have a choice between credibility and mismatch. It is long enough to see such a credible person coming from Igbo extraction because Nigerians had never witnessed their method of leadership under a democratic government and the history of our national journey will continue to be incomplete until an Igbo man becomes the number one citizen.
Abu Maigoro writes from Jos and can be reached at abumaigoro@yahoo.com
