Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Past, present and emerging leaders from the South East region have converged on Enugu for a one day Leadership Conference with the theme: “The 2027 General Elections – Rethinking South East Leadership Roadmap Through Shared Regional Goals. “
In a communique released at the end of the conference, participants agreed that shared goals in the 2027 election would be “Security of lives and property; Conducive and peaceful environment for pursuit of personal happiness and legitimate business ventures.
“Also, full re-integration of the SOUTH EAST into the highest decision making processes in the leadership of Nigeria, through the conscious acceptance of the South East, by Nigeria’s other geopolitical zones and display of Equity through Nigeria President of South East extraction in 2027.
Participants also expressed the fears that after 2027, no south east son or daughter would have the realistic pathway or roadmap to bid for presidency of Nigeria ever again.
According to them, the Power Rotation would be between the North and the South West!
“The South East appears to be steadily sidelined in the scheme of power play in Nigeria with majority of South Easterners feeling alienated.
“Under the present 4th republic South West have taken the turn of the Southern bloc thrice, South South once and South East nil.
“The South East has suffered the highest injustice as far as equity and fairness in rotation of presidential power is concerned, the communique stated
Participants further observed that no South East person would be in the contention for the President or Vice President of Nigeria, using a mainstream political platform.
The communique jointly signed by Dr Godwin Udibe, Professor Jehu Onyekwere, John Nwobodo , Esq. among others, said there were the existence of several categories of South East Leadership, but none has clearly articulated the Rules of Engagement with the other federating units and geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“Especially, with regards to the critical pathway or Roadmap to the political leadership of Nigeria for A NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OF SOUTH EAST EXTRACTION, critically, for 2027 General Elections.
They further noted that the common goal of the South East in 2027, should be NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OF SOUTH EAST EXTRACTION.
“This project solicits the support of all Nigerians who believe in the equality of all our people; in fairness and in social justice.
“It demands the attention of all our patriots who subscribe to the principle of equal access to opportunities, including Power.
“This project calls for understanding of people of conscience and refined sensibility who are unfettered by the prejudices of our past and unencumbered by the illogical myths and legends, ” they said.
Participants also said that the Poaching game currently being orchestrated by the APC-led Government, of Governors and National Assembly members does not translate into improved wellbeing of South East citizens; neither can defection be considered as a SINE QUA NON for security of lives and property in South East.
“The POACHING GAME by APC Government, of the Governors and National Assembly members has injured greatly, THE MORALE, THE DIGNITY, AND THE SOUL of the South East citizens, and would likely inflame the already devastated psychological mindset of the South East citizens seeking full RE-INTEGRATION of IGBO people through NIGERIA PRESIDENT OF SOUTH EAST EXTRACTION.
“There is yawning leadership gap cum vacuum in the South East thus the question; who are the South East leaders, does not lend itself to an easy answer, ” they said.
The communique argued that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Traditional Rulers, the Governors, the National and State House of Assembly members, Council Chairmen and Councillors have all failed woefully in providing leadership and guidance for the South East.
In order to fill this void, participants resolved to form themselves into a strong non-partisan political union, by the name, SOUTH EAST ENLIGHTENMENT GROUP (SEEG) to champion the enlightenment of the South East and foster cooperation and friendship across regions for the realisation of the President of Nigeria of South East extraction.
The group urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to run for presidency in 2027 but to support a South Easterner to clinch the presidency for a single term to complete 8 years presidency in the South after which the presidency should return to the North.
