Abuja — A group of Igbo elite and intellectuals, under the auspices of Igbo Redemption Group, has turned down General Ibrahim Babangida's offer that the Igbos would clinch the presidency in 2015, insisting that Jonathan has a better offer for Nigerians.
The leader of the group, Chief Chimazie Ihkeazor, in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP, disclosed that Jonathan had done a lot for Nigerians and deserved an opportunity to continue beyond 2010.
According to him, Nigerians and Igbos are not prepared to sacrifice excellence on the altar of parochial sentiments for the presidency.
Drawing allusion to General Babangida's recent interview where he made known his aspiration, Chief Ihkeazor said Babangida had not shown Nigerians that he had anything to offer the country.
"We are copying America. Obama, a black man from Kenya, is their president. We should also copy that aspect. The negroes and the blacks in the US are about one per cent. It is unfortunate that Nigeria is experiencing this kind of problem. We are praying and I am sure that Jonathan would win the 2011 presidential election.
"I saw Babangida yesterday over the television during an interview, I was so angry that the man was talking about wanting to be Nigeria's president. I couldn't understand why. What does he mean? A man who was saying when I get there, we would see what we would do. That means he does not know what he would do until he gets there," he said.
Chief Ihkeazor lamented the plight of Igbos in the Nigerian state, describing it as injustice.
"I don't know whether it might be too strong for me to say that Igbos actually founded Nigeria. Igbos were at the forefront. Then of course, Awolowo came in later. That is what we are actually trying to get right.
"It is a tragedy that the people who suffered most for this country have been relegated to the background. We want to have an Igbo man as the president, but we have to negotiate, we have to plan it not just saying oh, Babangida go and be president so that in the next four years we would produce be president, it is silly. I don't accept that.
"If we get a slot in 2015, fine. But if we fail to get it and get it four years later, 2019, beautiful. My point is that I see those who are talking about an Igbo presidency in 2015 as selfish. If it happens, we might fight for it and get it. But we should not sacrifice the overall benefit of the country on the altar of personal intreasts," he added.
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Igbo Elite Plot against IBB, the Igbo objection to IBB running for Nigerian presidency is understandable. General Ibrahim Babangida had ruled Nigeria for 8 years but has nothing to show for it but: Run down airport The deceased of Nigerian Airways Billions of oil money unaccounted for. Complete isolation of Nigeria from the world community. Complete collapse of the entire country's infrastructures. The country need to move further for the betterment of the all the citizens. Nigeria does not belong to Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Fulani and or Edos but all both large and small ethic group. Nigerian government is not the property of Babangida.
I have always said that IBB should never be allowed in the corridors of power ever again.His government was at best listless and clueless. The reason for this is his lack of direction and gross incompetence in the past. Most of us feel that once bitten twice shy. Conversing I do not feel this way about anybody else.One thing that caught my eye while reading the article is the name of the gentleman who spoke at lenght.I mean Chief "Ihkeazor". Is taht really an Igbo name? Whenever I see names with "Ihk" I immediately think Urhobo. Please someone tell me I am wrong.
Abeg no talk Igbo business here. What amount of disgrace you guys have given this country worldwide, in the name of get rich quick and scams, since the end of civil war. Now you want to talk. let your compatriots trust the igbo agenda first and see real commitment from the igbos to the collective will of the nation before you can start talking of Igbo divided in the scheme of things. Note that the igbos are excluded not because of tribalism (which they play so well) but because of lack of trust by bfellow Nigerians. The truth they say is bitter, analyse this carefully and see where igbos got it all wrong. Whenever they develop something (e.g. car, buses or anything at all)they will quickly move them to their kidnapper and crime infested unclaves in nnewi, onisha....etc employing only igbos to the exclusion of other bonafide nigerians but they are quick to run to kano, benue, lagos ibadan infact everywhere to freely trade without harassments and yet import their discriminatory practices. Nigerians are watching carefully this selfish interests among the igbos and are not fools and insensitive either. All we see from you people is maladministration and hot air noises. Change you bad ways and your compatriots will trust you.
I am not an igbo but whenever that man is mention anger wades on the inside of me. Its not just an igbo thing but i think the whole of Nigeria repels him and he must be stoped
as i read through this article, i cant help but wonder the motive behand it. obviously it does not seem to me that the so called elites are representing the interest of the igbos, but themselves. if not tell me why someone will say Jonathan has done so much. what time has this man had to do anything? how can this writer prove to us that he is not taking this position because of what he stands to get as an individual? the same elites who sold out when Alex Ekwueme would have emerged as president, are at it again. how would you be redeeming the igbos when you attempt to truncate the structure that would enable them emerge president by 2015? as much as i do not fraternise with IBB, i detest the self acclaimed igbo elites who have for so long sold out the igbo interest to achieve their selfish ambitions. some of them can not win an election in their family because of their greed and selfishness, howmuch more represent the igbos. the igbo interest at this point in the history of our nation is that we are due for presidency by 2015 on the principle of rotation, anything short of this is unacceptable. any so called elite speaking otherwise, is raising a discodant tune contrary to the igbo interest.
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