The Association of Arewa Community in Igboland has announced its backing of the president of Nigeria from Igbo extraction in the upcoming 2023 general election.
The association’s national president, Alhaji Mohammed Nalado Umaru, proclaimed this while speaking at a press conference in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
“The unity of this country should be paramount in our hearts. This we can achieve by allowing an Igbo man to emerge as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,” Umaru said.
“This is the time, we should give our consent for an Igbo executive president. Our people should give them the benefit of doubt to lead the country in the next political dispensation.”
Mr Umaru reminded the people to avoid the mistakes that happened to them during the 1999 primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party in Jos, Plateau State capital.
“They went to the primary so divided that it took a little effort by Chief Olusegen Obasanjo, who later won the presidential election to pick the party’s ticket even though he was not the favourite,” said Mr Umaru.
He said the fact that no Igbo holds high federal office in the country is proof that the Igbo are marginalised, which is worsened by false stereotypes some may have against the Igbo.
“Some of the false impressions are that they hate northerners, don’t sell land or lease out shops to them, and deny them approval to build mosques. All these are aimed at tarnishing their image,” he added.
