By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), an apex body championing the welfare and peaceful co-existence among the Igbo and their host communities in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has said that only a President of Igbo extraction in 2023 could assuage the Igbo nation as major stakeholders in the Nigerian business to bring about peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
The group also pointed out that northern Nigeria has produced more than 50 percent of Nigeria’s president since independence against the principles of equity, justice and fairness for major stakeholders like the Igbo.
Rising from its quarterly meeting in Minna, Niger State capital, the umbrella/ leadership body of Ndigbo in 19 northern states and FCT Abuja argued that treating the Igbo as second class citizens or being relegated to the background despite being a major stakeholder must stop.
The IDA in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting wants all the geopolitical zones, all the political parties, all political stakeholders, traditional institutions and every other relevant bodies to in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness consider zoning Presidency to the South East in 2023.
Considering an Igbo man the next president will make the South East, a major block in Nigeria’s political and social economic spheres, have a sense of belonging in the development and unity of Nigeria.
“It is on record that no South Easterner has been given the opportunity to lead the nation as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, IDA stated.
Besides, IDA also resolved to continue to seek/ explore all available legitimate avenues to provide security and welfare for Ndigbo living in northern parts of Nigeria, particularly among host communities.
“We also resolved to continue to seek and promote the best ways to co-exist peacefully and harmoniously with host communities and other citizens, work closely with both states and federal governments, traditional institutions and every other body necessary for peace and tranquility,” the group stated.
The communiqué jointly signed by the IDA President and Secretary, Chief Chikezie Nwogu and Comrade Austin Ofokansi Ifedinezi respectively, tasked “All the geo-political zones, all political parties, all political stakeholders, all the traditional institutions and every other relevant bodies in Nigeria to sincerely consider zoning the Presidency of Nigeria to the South East come 2023”.