2023: Engaging With North Only Way Igbo Presidency Can Be Achieved – Ike Ekweremadu

Ike Ekweremadu, Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District and former deputy senate president, says achieving Igbo presidency in 2023 can only be possible if the people of the South East engage and dialogue with those in the North.

Ekweremadu gave the advice at a book presentation titled: ‘Pitch: Debunking Marketing’s Strongest Myths’, authored by brand strategist, Ikem Okuhu, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said there is no way the country can unanimously agree to zone the presidency to a particular ethnic group.

“There is clamour for Igbo presidency today. And I believe it can only be realised if we engage ourselves in conversation with northern Nigeria to buy into our initiative,” he said.

“There can never be a universal decision of any ethnic group and the rest of us in this country. It is only dialogue and conversation that can be equity to all parts of the country.”

The ex-deputy senate president also advised the federal government on the need to devolve power to the states, stressing that it had become expedient given the increasing wave of insecurity and the serious economic challenges in the country.

“Today, Nigeria is in the full grip of widespread insecurity- insurgency, banditry, abductions, armed robbery, and all manner of violent crimes. Nigerians have been offering solutions towards taming the rising wave of criminality,” he said.

“These include calls for decentralised policing, which I am a proponent of and also have a bill to that effect currently before the Senate. 

“Unfortunately, it appears the government is bent on doing the same thing over and over but ironically hoping to get a different result. 

“In the same manner, many Nigerians, including yours sincerely, have been shouting it on the rooftops long before the current economic downturn occasioned by drastic and protracted decline in oil revenues, that the days of high oil revenues were numbered. 

“The West and other developed nations are setting targets to move away from oil. Yet we are not even close to activating other abundant sources of income because our federalism is wired for wealth sharing rather than wealth creation. 

“Even in the 7th National Assembly, when we listened to the yearnings of Nigerians to amend the constitution to devolve aviation, power, railway, etc. from the exclusive list to the concurrent list, it was never assented by the Presidency. 

“Now that the chicken has come home to roost let us hope that the Federal Government will listen to the voices of reason, devolve powers, and not continue with the micromanagement of the nation’s resources.”

Speaking further on building a national cohesion, Ekweremadu said, “Nigeria is now divided as never before. The chasms are increasing by the day. Elder statesmen and women, writers, and other well-meaning Nigerians have continued to raise the alarm that the nation is drifting apart. 

“They have equally continued to proffer suggestions on how we can engender national cohesion, justice, and equity. We will continue to pray that the government heeds their patriotic calls and suggestions.”