From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Against the clamours for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, ahead of 2023, Chief Raph Uwazuruike,the founder and leader of Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafran Independent Movement, BIM has said that he does not believe in president of Igbo extraction and said the contest should be thrown open.
Uwazuruike’s position came barely one week after MASSOB issued a threat on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia tstae for allegedly backing the presidential ambition of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State
Uwazuruike surprisingly disclosed this over the weekend when the Governor of Kogi State and Presidential Aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress(APC), Yahaya Bello visited him in Owerri.
The Freedom Fighter based his argument on the fact that if Nigeria’s sovereignty must be upheld the idea of Igbo president should be discarded.
According to him “I don’t believe in the idea of zoning system or Igbo president because zoning means sectionalism.
“If we want to talk about Nigeria, we must throw the presidential contest open, but if you throw it open, it must be for the youths not elders, because the elders have failed us from 1960 to date”, he said.
He said he would still continue to struggle for Biafran Independent, but added that since the dream has not been realized, he still has a stake in Nigerian project.
Uwazuruike said his MASSOB/BIM will support Gov. Yahaya Bello to become the next President of Nigerian because he is a youth and has the leadership qualities to deliver Nigeria project.
“The youths must be given power, the elders has continued to be in power without good result.
“100 million Naira payment for Expression of Interest Form for President was deliberately Madeline to deny the youths opportunity to contest”, he said.
He called on Nigerians to support Bello, describing zoning or Igbo presidency as project aim at promoting sectionalism.
In his reaction, Bello expressed gratitude over the reception given to him by no fewer than Five thousand members of MASSOB/BIM who welcomed him in Imo.
Bello said he was prepared to deliver Nigerian project if given opportunity to serve as the next president of the country.
“I’m prepared to lead this country, I shall address insecurity, heath system as well as educational system.
“Nigerians must be very careful and be ready to make the best decision in choosing their next president “, he said.
