The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is always blunt when it comes to Igbo political affairs in Nigeria – His statement at times got people wondering why he does not take sides with his kinsmen.
Nigeria is known for tribal and ethnicity sentiments which has caused a lot of trouble in Nigeria’s today’s politics, but the man Okorocha is not taking sides.
Recently, the Imo State governor said that Igbo people play the worst politics in Nigeria, while noting that members of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), should have used another name rather using Biafra for their agitation.
“Igbo have to change their strategy, in order to reclaim their relevance in Nigeria’s power equation. Quote me anywhere, Igbo play the worst politics in Nigeria. IPOB would have made better impact if they had operated under any other name other than Biafra, to push their demand for equity in sharing of the nation’s political and economic resources”, he said.
Speaking recently in an interactive section in Owerri, Imo capital, monitored by a news portal, Thecable, Okorocha was quoted to have said that, “Today, Hausa’s have realised they can win an election without Igbo.
“Hitherto, Hausa used to think they could not win elections without Igbo. Now, they believe with the combined massive populations of Lagos and Kano, they no longer need Igbo to win, hence, the latest alliance between Hausa and Yoruba.
“So, where is Igbo today in Nigerian politics?
“I have always said Igbo have this feeling of abandonment. IPOB would have made better impact if they had operated under any other name other than Biafra, to push their demand for equity in sharing of the nation’s political and economic resources. The call for secession was childish”.
“IPOB should have fought their struggle like the Niger Delta youth, Arewa youth and Yoruba group.
“Check it out, no Hausa man living in the south-east owns a duplex neither can you see a Yoruba man who lives in a room and parlour apartment of his own or an investment worth N20 million. But, should Nigeria break up today, Igbo will lose trillions in property and other investments in Lagos, the north and other parts of the country.
“The south-south has produced a president, the south-west has produced a president and vice president while the north has produced many presidents.
“Regrettably, IPOB activities have created fears in the minds of Hausa and other ethnic nationalities in the country, that, once Igbo becomes president, they would secede” he finally said.
