The United Igbo Journalists (UIJ) on Sunday commended Igbo political leaders who gathered recently in Igbere, Abia State to further unite on Igbo presidential bid ahead of 2023.
In a press statement issued in Abuja, the Igbo Journalists comprising all Igbo practising media practitioners in Nigeria however cautioned against diversionary and divisive tendencies that could jeopardise Ndigbo collective interest.
The statement signed by UIJ Chairman, Comrade Emeka Nze, further posited that the decision of Igbo politicians to back any major political party that would hand a presidential ticket to a South Easterner was commendable.
According to the statement: “We unanimously commend the Igbere meeting of the South East political leaders which resolved on concerted efforts by politicians from the zone to deliver any major political party that fields a South Easterner as its presidential candidate in 2023, irrespective of party affiliation.
“We however condemn the position of the South East governors which does not represent the majority of interest of Ndigbo. We enjoin them to put party differences aside and have a rethink in a bid to forge a common front in the affairs of Igbo nation.
“It is high time Igbo take their rightful place in the political leadership of Nigeria. We are regarded to be very productive in our individual and other areas of our endeavour. We now need to translate our result-oriented nature to collective pursuit of a common interest.
“That no Igbo man has ruled this country for decades now especially since the return of democracy in 1999 is a course for concern.
“We can’t continue to be used as tools to disunite ourselves even within the Ohaneze leadership structure. Let us now unite and stand for each other. It is our belief that even the weakest Igbo person will make a better leadership point at the presidency. Enough of discordant tunes, the time is now,” the group said.
