*Says Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is Igbo
From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
An All Progressive Congress Party (APC) chieftain in Enugu state,who is a founding member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Prince Richard Ozobu,has clarified that Ohanaeze Ndigbo recognises and includes the states of Delta and Rivers among the five states in the South East zone(Abia,Anambra,Ebonyi,Enugu and Imo states in all every activity of the Igbo nation,therefore they should be integrated in the search for credible candidates in the Igbo quest for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.
Ozobu who spoke to news men in Enugu at the weekend,cited the rotational principle in electing the President General and other officials of Ohanaeze Ndigbo among the Seven Igbo states and cautioned that the political class must follow the same template for peace to reign across the Igbo nation.
According to him the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will be produced by Rivers state and that the late Chief Ralph Uwaechie from Asaba. In Delta state, equally served as Presidential General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He cautioned that Igbo politicians in the South Eást zone must trade with caution so as not to limit or jeopardize the chances of achieving the targeted objective of Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2033,through exclusion of Igbos of Delta state and Anioma,parts of Rivers state.
Prince Ozobu cautioned the Igbo political class must not decimate or detach eminent qualified politicians from parts of Delta and Rivers state(Anioma) from joining in the race for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2023,stating historically that they are part of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, the major Igbo nation.
Ozobu said,”We should have to present to the rest of Nigerians an Igbo man from the seven Igbo states of Abia,Anambra,Ebonyi,Enugu,Imo state,Delta and Rivers state(Anioma),If we restrict the search to the Igbs in the South East zone,there are fears that none of them might make it”.
“No tribe in Nigeria can win the presidency alone without going into alliance.We also have to go historically how Okpara,Azikiwe,Profesdor Eyo Ite,Dennis Osadebay,all of blessed memories attained laudable political heights in Nigeria,even as Igbo men”.
Responding to the question on rumoured presidential ambition of Minister of transport, Chief Rotimi Chubuike Amaechi,Prince OZOBU said he is eminently qualified and fit among other Igbo personalities. He said Amaechi is an Igbo man from Ikwere,who originally belongs to the defunct Eastern Nigeria.
Ozobu stated,” Chief Rotimi Chubuike is a real Igbo son.He is from Ikwerre.Ikwerre people are Igbo’s and were part of the defunct Eastern Nigeria. The creation of states should not divide our Igboness.If he joins the contest,Igbo’s will support him. I am sure other Nigerians too. That is why I am saying we must have to reach out to other Nigerians and go into alliance.Siniyer interests may jeopardize our collective goal and objective in the quest for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2023″.
