I’m an Igbo man through and through but I’ve never deluded myself and I strive to tell myself the truth of which I’ve said more than enough on this matter, first before the 2015 elections and then again before the 2019 elections. I seek not to impress anyone.
My views are all on the record. I’ve deliberately refrained from saying more because as they say, a word is enough for the wise. But I will weigh in once more on the prompting of my Oga Sylvester Ukusare.
As it is said, ‘heaven helps those who help themselves’.
When it comes to politics, it’s a common cliche that power is taken, not gifted. Further said politics is a game of partnership and compromise.
I’m not one of those idealists who reference other climes as a standard for Nigerian politics and democracy so I understand that we need to device and deploy a unique political structure/system and culture that will take into consideration our peculiarities as a diverse and complex nation. Hence I totally endorse the unwritten power rotation pact between the North and South.
That said, it also throws up a responsibility on every part of Nigeria to strive to build bridges of patnership and trust with other parts.
This is the reason why our Constitution ensures spread and not just number of votes garnered as a key criteria for declaring a Presidential winner.
Where we Igbos have failed is in objectively building those bridges I mentioned above. One might make excuses or advance reasons as to why we have not been able to do so effectively and indeed some of those reasons might even be cogent but there’s surely a deficit on the part of us Igbos in that respect. Truth be told.
For other parts of Nigeria to entrust you with the Presidency of Nigeria, they must be sufficiently comfortable as to your intent and that you trust them and can be trusted. That’s a fact of life and we can’t pretend that it does not matter.
That said, I’m not one of those who say Igbos cannot be President for ABC reasons. That’s also bigotry (we have bigots and tribalists in all tribes).
All I’m saying is we Igbos have a lot of work to do to build bridges of trust and partnership across the federation.
I don’t know if it’s too late to do so for the 2023 election (as I already questioned the practicality of that happening as far back as 2018) but if we are ready, we can start the journey and see where it leads by then. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and there’s no better time to start than today.
Otherwise, the 2023 Presidency is not precluded for any Igbo man to contest including myself. When we see the candidates then, we will do the needful.
But it’s a journey to better embark on together, organised and in a strategic and deliberate manner with a clear goal and plan for success.
By the way, other tribes and regions also need to build and gain the trust of Igbos in return because the mistrust is mutual. In this regard, our words really do matter.
My one kobo.
God Bless Ndi Igbo.
God Bless Nigeria.