On OBJ’s push for Igbo president in 2019

February 7, 2017

It was so gratifying reading the view of a former president, Chief Matthew Olusegun Okikiolu Obasanjo, on the subject matter above. Here, this revered personality of international repute had averred that the Igbo race be allowed to take a deserved shot at the presidency come 2019 for equity, justice and fairness and national cohesion to be achieved.

Without sounding like an ethnic jingoist, I would say may God bless this eminent personality for being on the side of truth and rationality. Of the nation’s three major ethnic groups, it is only the Igbo that are yet to produce a democratically elected president up to date.

However, no matter how plausible this suggestion may appear, my fear is on the timing. Therefore, I doubt if 2019 is the auspicious time for this candid advice to come to fruition.

It is common knowledge that the North in their traditional ranka dede manner were unanimous in their desire to see power return to the zone in the last presidential election. This accounted for the reason we saw Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from the North vote against their party, just to ensure that power returned to its traditional base, ostensibly to pay back the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who was accused of thwarting the power equation, after serving out the first term abruptly ended by the sudden demise of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

As succinctly captured by the Ike Ekweremadu-led PDP Reconciliation Committee, the North was resolutely on a mission and would be allowed to complete an unbroken two cumulative terms of eight years (2015-2019) before any other region could be allowed to aspire to the most exalted position on the land.

For once, I align with the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, who has justifiably advised the Igbo to wait until after 2019. My only area of divergence is where he opined that the race could aspire after Buhari’s presidency. Whether from the North-East, North-West or North Central, the North should be allowed to complete the cycle.

Any attempt to suggest otherwise would amount to derailing the nation’s democratic train once again, which should as a matter of necessity be avoided.

To this end, while appreciating Chief Obasanjo’s objectivity and sincere love for the Igbo race, he and other eminent personalities are implored to lead in the advocacy for a president of Igbo extraction come 2023. Doing otherwise would amount to hypocrisy, ridicule and mockery of a seemingly conquered territory.