Copyright tribuneonlineng
A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Valentine Iheukwumere Oparaocha, has called on Igbos across the country and in the diaspora to unite behind the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in his 2027 presidential bid. Oparaocha, who spoke with journalists in Minna, said the time had come for Ndigbo to focus their collective energy on Obi’s political ambition rather than on separatist agitations led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his followers, which he described as unrealistic and potentially destructive. While stressing that he is not opposed to calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, Oparaocha maintained that no rational Igbo person who witnessed the horrors of the Nigerian Civil War would wish to relive such an experience. “Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu told us before his death that the war is over. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe also said it was over. Why must some people still be dragging us back into what is not possible?” he asked. The retired security expert, who once contested for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide against the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Ambassador George Obiozor, warned that anyone calling for war was “on his own.” According to him, both the 1966 Aburi Accord and the 1969 Ahiara Declaration have outlived their relevance. He urged agitators to abandon separatist pursuits that could only lead to chaos and renewed hostility against the Igbo nation. Oparaocha insisted that Peter Obi’s candidacy offers a peaceful and credible path for the Igbos to negotiate justice and equity within the Nigerian federation. “Peter Obi’s ambition to be president should be the main focus of the Igbos and Nigerian youths. He is tried and tested. His method is safe, his plans are good, and we can trust him,” he said. He cautioned against placing too much emphasis on Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration might be exploiting the issue for political leverage ahead of the 2027 elections. “We cannot be chasing too many things at the same time. President Tinubu may release Nnamdi Kanu for political reasons before 2027 because Kanu fits into his second-term strategy,” he claimed. Oparaocha also expressed concern for Kanu’s safety outside the Department of State Services (DSS) custody, saying the detained IPOB leader might be more vulnerable if released. “In DSS custody, MNK is safe and protected. Outside, anyone could target him. I fear more for his life outside than inside,” he added. The former secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Niger State argued that Igbos must adopt strategic thinking and build alliances with other marginalized ethnic groups in Nigeria to achieve national leadership. “Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups. The Igbos are not the only ones facing marginalization. We should reach out to others, especially northern Christians, and form a new majority,” he said. He urged unity of purpose among Igbos, citing biblical and historical examples to emphasize peace and political inclusiveness. “We must move with Peter Obi for now. His ideas have sanity in them. Peace is better than war. If Barack Obama could unite minorities in the US.] to form a winning majority, we can do the same here,” Oparaocha stated. He recalled the words of Nigeria’s founding father, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who championed unity and national integration, adding that “united we stand, divided we fall.” He also quoted former Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who recently said the 2027 elections would be “a contest between southerners,” likely between President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi. “Whichever way the pendulum swings, the Igbos should remain united,” Oparaocha concluded.
