PRESIDENT OF IGBO EXTRACTION: YOUNG NIGERIAN VOICES URGE POLITICAL PARTIES TO CONSIDER IGBO'S IN THEIR ZONING ARRANGEMENTS.

- Insists the South East must be factored in National Leadership Equation. 

The Young Nigerian Voices, YNV, ably led by Alhaji Ibrahim Bature has urged both the Nigerian Ruling All Progress Congress, APC and PDP to consider the Igbo's in their zoning arrangements to balance the power sharing formula for Equity, Justice and Fairness.

According to the press release made available to news men in Abuja by the YNV National Cordinator, Alhaji Bature through the National Publicity Secretary, Justice C. Osuji  at their inaugural meeting, the group insisted that it would be barefaced injustice if the South East is denied the opportunity to produce the next President of Nigeria considering the longstanding culture of rotation of the elevated position, between the North and South, which he said is in tandem with the spirit behind the Federal Character, which is an indispensable part of the Nigerian Constitution. 

Speaking futher, Alhaji Ibrahim Bature emphasised that Nigeria been on a tripod of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba would only be fair and equitable for all Political Parties to cede the position to the South East, since by 2023, the North would have steered the Presidential ship of Nigeria for over 10 years, and the souh west for a cumulative period of Sixteen (16) years-  Eight years as President and eight years as Vice- President.

He further noted that there has been hues and cries of marginalization by the South East over the years which has led to various clamours and  agitations for secession. 

He said the complaints can only be doused by bringing the South East into the mainstream of Nigerian leadership, which will give them the deserved sense of belonging.

He recalled that the issue of minority and militancy agitation was given a decent burial by allowing the Ijaws produce the PRESIDENT in the person of former President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR and "it's also our clear contention and infallible permutations that a President of South East extraction will not only douse the secessionist agitation but will go a long way to mitigate and heal the old wounds of 1967- 1970 civil war. He maintained that this will ensure a total reintegration of all the components parts of the Country for national cohesion which will foster national unity and stability.

in his words, "When there is no perceived injustice in the distribution of power and resources, economic agents from the different regions will work assiduously together for the economic growth of the nation, since there is a sense of belonging that one of their own is in the government and represents their interest."

He called on President Mohammed Buhari  to use his good office to ensure that the Federal Character, which embodies equity and fairness, is not exiled just to sideline and marginalise a particular region in the affairs of the nation, as this has the tendency of fueling all forms of agitations, vandalization, civil disobedience and unrest which would be unhealthy for the economic stability and development of the nation.

On his part, the Deputy National Co-ordinator of the group, Engr. Emmanuel Buchees, said: "it is our considered opinion that the South East is part of Nigeria and for the sake of equitable power balancing and in the overriding interest of national unity, it would be just and very fair to factor the Southeast in the  national political power equation. This would naturally douse all complaints about marginalization of the zone and whittle down the clamour for a Republic of Biafra."

He continued: " The Igbo's are not in short supply of men and women with proven pedigree, cognate and requisite expertise needed to pilot the affairs of the nation".

" Moreso, zoning the 2023 presidency to the South East would go a long way to enhance national unity and give sense of belonging to the major ethic players thereby restoring harmonious co-existence in the country and end the Biafran agitation in the region". 

The group further urged all Igbo Leaders and head of Pan Igbo organizations, irrespective of political leaning and persuasion, to close ranks and pull resources together to support what it termed a just course to ensure the zone is present in the Nigerian Pinnacle of power.