Igbo groups have come up with the names of the Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the former President Goodluck Jonathan and eleven other prominent Igbo political leaders for the Presidential election in 2019.
The groups said that more persons will pass through screening by the Igbo Presidency Project Committee, adding that they will align with the position of the Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide to begin an aggressive campaign for Igbo presidency.
In a statement, the groups said that funds will be mobilised across the world for their campaign for Igbo Presidency in 2019.
The shortlisted prominent Igbo politicians are:
- Deputy Senate president, Chief Ike Ekweremadu
- Former Anambra governor, Peter Obi
- Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha
- Former Abia Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu
- immediate past first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan
- Air Comodore Ebitu Ukiwe, (rtd.)
- Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.)
- Oby Ezekwesili
- Prof. Pat Utomi
- Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu
- Senator Anyim Pius Anyim
- Senator Hope Uzodinma
The groups declared that the Igbo leaders who recently had a meeting with acting president, Yemi Osinbajo do not represent Ndigbo in any form but their personal interests.
The groups made their position known through a communiqué signed by Dr. Ugwu Francis, Deputy President General, WIYC, Comrade Francis Njoku and Glory Izuora, President and secretary, respectively of ISA, and Dr. Mrs. Nkem Nwuzor and Dr. Mrs. Helen Dike-Orji on behalf of the SWP.
The communiqué reads in part: “We are outraged over the recent self-serving visit of some Igbo leaders to the Aso Villa Abuja. While we respect their right as Nigerians to visit any place of their choice, we are against the use of such trips for the pursuant of personal glory and goals. “We observed with dismay that rather than present basic issues affecting the Igbo nation, they merely went there singing songs of ‘Nigeria unity.’
“It is a common knowledge that Ndigbo are grossly marginalised in every sphere of the nation, including the position of presidency.
“These cries of marginalisation have consistently fuelled Biafra agitation and the only way to end these agitations is to demonstrate, not just in words, but in practical terms that Ndigbo are part owners of the Nigeria project. “Consequently, we declare that those hosted by Osinbajo did not represent Ndigbo in any form but their personal interests.
The groups are the World Igbo Youth Congress (WIYC), the Igbo Students’ Association (ISA) and the South-East Women Professionals (SWP). [myad]
