2023: "Nigerians Should Support The Emergence Of Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction" - Igbo Leaders

Igbo Leaders have asked other ethnic nationalities and zones to support the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.

The leaders noted that this should be as a matter of justice, equity and fairness because in the history of Nigerian democracy, the Igbo who are one of the tripod of the country has not produced a President.

The Igbo Leaders made this known in a communique issued after the 5th World Igbo Summit held from January 2, to January 4, 2020 at Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.

Igbere TV gathered that the event was attended by eminent sons and daughters of Ala Igbo.

Among those in attendance were Chief John Nnia Nwodo, the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Navy Commordore Ebitu Ukiwe(Rtd), former Chief of General Staff, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and Secretary to the Federal Government, His Excellency, Ambassador George Obiozor, former Ambassador to the United States of America, His Excellency, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor ofAnambra State, His Excellency, Prof Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State, Prof Chinedu Nebo former Minister of Power and Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Federal University Oye Ekiti, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria etc.
The keynote address was delivered by His Excellency, Ambassador Humphrey Orjako, former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to United Nations and other International
organizations at Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland.

The Summit noted as follows;

1. For Nigeria’s survival, the country has to chose from three options:
   i. To retain the dysfunctional status quo
   ii. To balkanize the country through a rash of successions
   iii. Reset or restructure the country to its federal origin
2. The Igbo have cause to lead the campaign for a restructured Nigeria.
3. That the restructuring process should start with the restructuring of the social, cultural,
   political and economic systems of Alaigbo
4. The need for future Igbo generations to internalize our own narrative of how we got
   where we are and where we wish to go.
5. In the history of Nigerian democracy, the Igbo who are one of the tripod of the
   country has not produced a President.
6. The urgent need to resume the outreach programme to other ethnic nationalities and
   zones of the country with a view to achieving support for the Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and restructuring of Nigeria.
   In view of the foregoing, the Summit resolved as follows;
7. Ndi Igbo should pursue both restructuring of Nigeria and emergence of Nigerian
   President of Igbo extraction as both are not mutually exclusive
8. Other ethnic nationalities and zones, should as a matter of justice, equity and fairness,
   support the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.
9. The leadership of all political parties, should as a matter of justice, equity and fairness,
   cede the nomination of their Presidential candidates to the South-East.
10. That the President-General should in consultation with Ime-obi constitute a Pan-Igbo organizing Committee to develop and pursue a sustainable strategic plan of action for the “handshake outreach” across Nigeria.
11. The handshake programme should cumulate in a grand finale during which the harmonized positions of the alliance zones would be adopted and publicized as a basis of a joint bill of the people to the National Assembly to pass into law and use as a document for convoking a national conference for restructuring.
12. The alliance zones would use the harmonized positions to commence the arduous task of lobbying and working with politicians, political parties, interest groups and other stakeholders to come on board the movement for restructured Nigeria.
13. On its part, Ohaneze Ndigbo will sustain a vigorous publicity, press campaigns,
    sustained education and mobilization of the electorates and encourage peaceful mass
    rallies in support of the restructuring project.
14. In pursuit of these demands and rights, all these resolutions will be done in accordance
    with the principles of municipal and international laws and best practices.
15. The Summit thanked Gregory University, Uturu and the Conveners for their immense
    contributions and service to the Igbo nation.