Global Movement for Igbo Presidency 2023 launched, as Comrade Kennedy Iyere eulogized by Igbo leaders
By Covenant Oluchi Ikedinobi
An international pressure group for the actualization of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction has been launched in Awka, the Anambra state capital by Igbo leaders led by Senator Ben Ndi-Obi and Chief Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
The pressure group known as Global Movement for Igbo President 2023 (GLOMIP 2023) was launched at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka amidst pomp and ceremony as people from all walks of life attended.
The movement is targeted at mobilizing all stakeholders to help the people of the South-East to produce the next president of Nigeria.
International convener of GLOMIP 2023, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, a UK-based businessman said it’s the turn of Ndigbo to lead Nigeria hence it needed a global Movement for it’s actualization.
Speaking during the inauguration of the group, Comrade Iyere said Nigeria needs the touch of an Igbo man to return to the path of greatness.
In Comrade Iyere’s words: “We have seen the best that the north can offer; we have seen the best the West can offer and we have seen the best the South-South can offer. This is the time to try the South-East.
“This movement for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction will be a global project, which will be presented to the British and European Union parliaments as well as government agencies of the world.
“It will be funded internationally, and the idea is that presidential candidate that will emerge from this platform will not spend his money to campaign, because if he does that he will be forced to recoup thereby leaving Nigeria worse than he met it.”
He spoke with great admiration from political class in Igbo land including former Senator Representing Anambra central, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi, former Anambra State governor, Chief Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former Aviation minister, Mrs Kema Chikwe who was represented because she was breaved, former minister of women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anennih , Publisher Orient Daily newspaper and an international businessman , Chief Godwin Ezeemo.
The Igbo leaders showered encomiums on Comrade Kennedy Iyere for thinking out of the box to canvass for solidarity across the world for a Nigerian President from Igbo extraction.
They expressed optimism about the realisation of the project, calling for a concerted effort.
Comrade Kennedy Iyere’s partner, a strategic Consultant, and CEO of Staci Smith strategic services ,an international fund raiser, Staci Smith of was physically present with Mahmoud Showman even as Staci Smith reassured the actualization of the project if all parties are sincere to the project. She pledged to play her part of the bargain having seen that it was a purpose driven project to end marginalization of a people.
In his opening remarks , the chairman on the occasion, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi said “Ndigbo cannot elect President all alone, rather, they should intensify fierce and deliberate lobbying of the North-west, North-east, North-central, South-west and South-south.
“After reaching out to other zones, the next hurdle would be the political parties that have the constitutional right to sponsor people for elections.
“For the Igbo presidency to be realised come 2023, the two major political parties, that is the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, must zone their presidential tickets to the South-east zone to allow Nigerians choose whoever they want.
Senator Obi insisted this would be for the sake of fairness and equity, even as he appealed to the political parties in Nigeria especially the People’s Democratic Party. .
Speaking during the official launch and grand opening Senator Obi noted that it was only once, 54 years ago that an Igbo man ruled the nation.
In his words, “Power is not given or served, it is taken.”
He said the last time Igbo ruled this Nigeria was during the military regime 54 years ago during Aguiyi Ironsi’s era. And it lasted for just 194 days.
“For this project of Igbo Presidency to be possible, certain variables must be put in place.
“All political parties especially the ruling parties APC and PDP must zone their Presidential ticket to Southeast.”
He added that for Igbo Presidency to be possible come 2023, Igbo politicians must reach out to other zones for support.
On his part, former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife highlighted that the initiator the Global Movement for Igbo President
He stated that “it appears God in heaven is saying it is time for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.”
Dr Ezeife charged Igbo people to start believing more in the cause of Igbo President come 2023 alleging that other Nigerians seem to believe in Igbo president more than the Igbo people.
“Igbos are the development agents of Nigeria. We make Nigeria look more like a nation. We believe culturally in developing any part of the world we find ourselves in.
“We deserve to be given a chance and I am glad that our people in diaspora and from other tribes unanimously agree that an Igbo president is what Nigeria needs to take the next strides towards development,” he said.
Other speakers at the event, like Dr Tanko Yinusa, National Chairman of National Conscience Party and the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in UK, Dr Nnanna Igwe drove the points home on the need for a Nigerian President of Igbo origin to change the narratives.
The President , Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in the United kingdom Hon.Dr. Nnana Elias Igwe said that GLOMIP is strongly supported by Non Nigerians across the Globe while emphasizing that there is need for equity, fairness , truth and forgiveness among Ndigbo to push for the dream collectively.
Dr Igwe informed the congregation that group shall have a sllogan as GLOMIP —– with an answer. Renew Nigeria, GLOMIP —— Together we can make Nigeria unite again.
The National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Comrade Chris Isiguzo in his remarks buttressed that GLOMIP is not part of any freedom fighters group in Nigeria.
As well , Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna , Director Unizik Fm said that Igbo race is one of the most imbibing and progressive outside Nigeria.
She urge Nigerians to approach 2023 with fate and unity as this is a Clarion call to Nigeria Youths.
The former minister of Aviation Amb. Kenna Chikwe who was represented by Barr. Mrs Nnenna Aladi called the move for Igbo presidency as an actual justifiable cause to pursue as it’s been headed by a non Indigene of the south East.
She emphasised the factors to be considered in selecting an Igbo representative as sound educational background, political exposure, Knowledgeable with the Nigerian culture and having a supportive marriage partner.
Barr. Nnenna concluded by saying that the said aspirant must have amghe fear of God as in God all things are possible.
In her remarks, Former minister for women affairs, Josephine Aninnih who was represented emphasized on how she was earlier discouraged about Igbo presidency by an elite. And urge everyone to be patriotic in this course of presidency.
Similarly, Dr. Yanusi Tanko, a representative of the North buttressed on why it’s the turn of Ndigbo to lead Nigeria and pointed out that over forthy five millions of Igbo people exist on Earth according to encyclopedia , and as such an Igbo man has the courage to challenge injustice.
Hon. Godwin Azuh a political scientist and member Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in the United Kingdom , in his remarks said that he’s committed to taking the movement all over the world as there will be a meeting of all the Igbo leaders by November on the way forward for Igbo presidency.
He also said that it’s time for Igbo youths to rise and fight for what belongs to them.
In his vote of thanks, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, a politician and philanthropist who said as a result of his interest in Igbo presidency, said he provided grant for the take off of the movement willingly before the global Movement fund starts coming and challenged all to see it as a collective Igbo project by contributing their own quota no matter how little to the actualization of the project.
