The Vice Chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, has expressed concern over the inability of people of Southeastern Nigeria to hold the presidency over the years, despite their innate potential and several attempts.
He blamed the challenge on fears among people from other parts of the country of the possibility that Ndigbo might secede from the country if given the opportunity.
Speaking on Tuesday during the 12th Chief Dr. Chidozie Ogbalu Memorial Lecture of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Chukwumaeze alleged that the design was to ensure the Igbo man was excluded from the presidency.
He, however, said the solution was for Ndigbo to convince the Nigerian populace of their resolution not just to be part of the country, but also willing to work for her growth and development.
He said, “They want us to be part of Nigeria, but they don’t want us to smell power. They thought we had an insatiable desire to run away from Nigeria.
“All we need do is to assure them that we’ve accepted to live in Nigeria. After all, they know that the civil war has ended and we’ve been reintegrated into Nigeria.
“They should allow us a taste of the presidency, and we’re promising them that we’ll work for the betterment of the country and we won’t run away.
“I advise our Igbo brothers to put on those behaviors that will enable our brothers from other regions and tribes to know that we’ve accepted to be part and parcel of Nigeria.
“If we don’t do that, they’ll never have confidence in allowing us into the core ultimate leadership of the country. The design is to ensure the Igbo man is excluded from the presidency.”
Also speaking, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Sen John Azuta-Mbatta, stressed the need for Ndigbo to reach out to other tribes if they must enter serious national politics.
Azuta-Mbatta, represented by Prof Ngozi Chukwukere, also called on Igbo people to come together and love themselves.
“It’s important for Ndigbo to reach out to other tribes. If we must get into serious national politics, we can’t stay alone. Remember, power is rotatory. Hence the need for diplomacy and strategizing,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie described the Lecture Series titled “The Place of the Igbo Race in Nigeria,” as apt and timely, just as he commended the Igbo department for keeping the memorial lecture alive.
Anyaehie, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Admin, Prof Hilda Osisioma, also thanked the Ogbalu family and others for making the event a reality through their support, expressing optimism of a fruitful outcome.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Prof. Nkoli Nnyigide, said the lecture would provide a platform for intellectual discourse on the place and contributions of the Igbo race within the Nigerian federation.
