By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The President-General of Igbo apex socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo (World-wide), Professor George Obiozor has posited that anybody who jokes with Rotational Presidency is jeopardizing the destiny of Nigeria.
He also said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo home and abroad is of the opinion that President Muhammadu Buhari can help to lower the tension in the South East by exercising his power of Prerogative of Mercy to bring the issue of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafrans (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to an end.
Professor Obiozor who was Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States of America (USA), Cyprus and Isreal respectively spoke on Thursday on Channels Television programme Politics Today anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.
According to him Ndigbo and by extention the South East geopolitical zone want a Nigeria where justice, equity and oneness will reign supreme even as he argued that it had become imperative for the South Easterner to be elected the next President of Nigeria in 2023General Election.
The former Director-General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos insists that in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria, the political class should be mindful of the precarious nature of the union and should always strive to treat each group equally in the distribution of political offices.
Professor said it’s in the spirit carrying every zone of the country along that gave rise to the Principle of Rotational Presidency, adding that by this way every zone will have sense of belonging in Nigeria.
Said he: “Anybody who jokes with Rotational Presidency is jeopardizing the destiny of Nigeria because any part of the country that feels marginalized will agitate for fairness and justice”.
Asked if the South Easterners (Ndigbo) are reaching out to other zones for support to realize the dream of producing the next Nigeria’s President of South East extraction in 2023, he said consultations are on-going to convince people from other geopolitical zones in to support the Igbo Presidency Project.
Professor Obiozor argued that; “it’s only fair for the other geopolitical zones in the North and South especially the South West and South South to also support the South East zone to producethe next President of Nigeria”.
This is even as he pointed out that; “the Presidency has gone round the North and South, so it will be unfair to start the second round from the Northern region or Western region without the South Eastern region nothing have her turn”.
On Mazi Nnamdi Kanu versus the Federal Government of Nigeria, Professor Obiozor said Ohanaeze Ndigbo has repeatedly told everyone who cares to listen that political solution is the answer to the issue.
“Mr. President should help to lower the tension in the South East by granting Nnamdi
Kanu Prerogative of Mercy. It’s our opinion that Kanu should be granted amnesty like former President Umaru Yar’Adua granted to Niger Delta Avengers. We are not talking about the use of force which cannot benefit anybody”.
On the insecurity in the South East, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo blamed the South East security challenges on politicians, insisting that they are politically motivated.
Said he: “The tension in the South East is as a result of politics; the tension is politically inspired and also the mishandling of the fallout. I believe politicians are the people causing trouble in the South East”.
He however accused the security in Imo State of delaying the prosecution of people perpetuating insecurity in the South East especially those caught with dangerous weapons.
