Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has advised Igbos to avoid fighting themselves but rather forge a common front for their future in Nigeria because there was a “deliberate attempt” by some unnamed persons to deny Igbo-speaking people of the South-east an opportunity to produce Nigeria’s president in 2023.

Ikpeazu stated this on Wednesday when he met with the leadership of Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo political organisation, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Onyebuchi Ememanka, on Thursday.

The delegation of Nzuko Umunna was led by Ozichukwu Chukwu and Josephine Anenih.

The governor argued that the Igbos had made “immense contributions” to national development given that they reside in every part of Nigeria, but regretted that the conspiracy around them was “very grave.”

He stressed that it was time for Ndi Igbo to “leverage on their unity, compromise and understanding to craft and construct a pathway towards their political liberation” in next elections.

“…That time has come for Igbos to become intentional about their strategic disposition in Nigeria and therefore, should expand conversations around the issue with a view to strengthening their relationship with other ethnic groups across the country,” Governor Ikpeazu said.

Speaking earlier during the gathering, the leader of the delegation, Chukwu, said their visit to the governor was to further discuss the way forward for Ndi Igbo, and the need for them to come together and plan ahead, adding that although Nzuko Umunna is a political organisation, it is non-partisan.

He equally lauded the governor for congratulating the Abia State Governor-elect, Alex Otti, on his victory as well as for urging other candidates not to “distract him with court litigations.”

Credit: Leadership