TheCable

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has commended Sam Ohuabunwa, a former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), for his interest in contesting the next presidential election.

The presidential election is scheduled to hold in February 2023.

Ohuabunwa had, in January 2021, announced his intention to run for the position of president.

George Obiozor, Ohanaeze president-general, gave the commendation on Monday at the unveiling of The New Nigeria Group, a political movement, in Lagos.

Obiozor, who encouraged other indigenes of the south-east to indicate interest in contesting the presidential seat, described Ohuabunwa as a nationalist, who possesses the qualities of a “reformer”.

“Sam Ohuabunwa is a Nigerian nationalist, a great son of Ndigbo, a Nigerian who believes in the whole country and believes in the unity of the nation, peace and security, fairness and justice,” he said.

“We, as the fathers and elders, will encourage all our sons and daughters, who want to serve the nation, to go forward confidently and present themselves.

“You have served the nation with decency and decorum. His service and commitment spirit is glaring to the whole country. He is one of the people that can make industrialisation one of his greatest achievements. We salute him.”

On his part, Sam Ohuabunwa, convener of the political movement, said the Igbo want a united Nigeria, where people of the south-east are not treated as second-class citizens.

“What the Igbo are looking for is a nation where they can be regarded as equal citizens — a nation that will treat them with justice, equity and fairness,” he said.

“A nation where their children can grow up and nobody discriminates against them — that is what the Igbo are looking for.

“The Igbo are scattered all over Nigeria; they are resourceful and no other group has investment in Nigeria like Igbo.

“So, if you’re saying who are the people who want Nigeria, it is Igbo. They are not saying it by mouth, but by their actions. They don’t want a Nigeria where they are treated as second-class citizens.

“The moment Nigeria begins to treat them right, I’m sure all agitations will come down.”

See photos of the launch of the political movement below.