TheCable

Rochas Okorocha, Imo state governor, says the Igbo play the worst politics in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Owerri, the state capital, Okorocha said the Igbo have to change their strategy to remain relevant in Nigerian politics.

He said gone were the days when other ethnic groups need the input of the Igbo before they could win an election, especially with the latest “alliance” between the Hausa and the Yoruba.

“Today, Hausa have realised they can win an election without Igbo,” he said.

“Igbo have to change their strategy, in order to reclaim their relevance in Nigeria’s power equation. Quote me anywhere, Igbo play the worst politics in Nigeria.

“Hitherto, Hausa used to think they could not win elections without Igbo. Now, they believe with the combined massive populations of Lagos and Kano, they no longer need Igbo to win, hence, the latest alliance between Hausa and Yoruba.

“So, where is Igbo today in Nigerian politics?”

Okorocha also condemned the agitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying the group created a feeling of distrust among other ethnic groups.

He questioned the wisdom of the Igbo seeking to break away from Nigeria when their chance of producing the country’s president “is around the corner”.

“I have always said Igbo have this feeling of abandonment. IPOB would have made better impact if they had operated under any other name other than Biafra, to push their demand for equity in sharing of the nation’s political and economic resources. The call for secession was childish,” he said.

“IPOB should have fought their struggle like the Niger Delta youth, Arewa youth and Yoruba group.

“Check it out, no Hausa man living in the south-east owns a duplex neither can you see a Yoruba man who lives in a room and parlour apartment of his own or an investment worth N20 million. But, should Nigeria break up today, Igbo will lose trillions in property and other investments in Lagos, the north and other parts of the country.

“The south-south has produced a president, the south-west has produced a president and vice president while the north has produced many presidents.

“Regrettably, IPOB activities have created fears in the minds of Hausa and other ethnic nationalities in the country, that, once Igbo becomes president, they would secede.”