The Movement for the Actualization of Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction, MANPIE, has urged Igbos to reject being used as vice presidential candidates in 2023 election, saying it is the turn of South East to produce President to allow equity and fairness to reign.
This was stated by the group’s Chairman, Comr Unuero Sylvester, during the inauguration of South East state and local government areas executive last week at
Rockview Hotel Owerri with prominent sons and daughters of the zone in attendance.
In his keynote address, Unuero maintained that the 2023 Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction was an affirmation of the patience of the Igbo with Nigeria and abiding faith in the capacity of the fatherland to accommodate and provide a guarantee that they truly belong to Nigeria.
“Ndigbo only need to get their acts together for an Igbo to emerge as President of Nigeria 2023. The arc of the universe is long but it always bends towards justice. Ndigbo are the major ethnic group in Nigeria yet to produce a president. And so if we go forth with this faith and this determination to achieve the presidency of Nigeria in 2023, Ndigbo will usher in a new dawn and a new Nigeria. When that day comes the fears of insecurity, marginalization and doubt clouding Nigeria’s future will be transformed into confidence and excitement that Nigeria will accomplish creative goals”.
He stressed that “campaign will be mounted in open spaces, public domains, in the mainstream media and the internet. It will have nothing to hide. This project solicits the support of all Nigerians who believe in the equality of our people, in fairness and social justice. It demands the attention of all our patriots who subscribe to the principle of equal access to opportunities including power. The project calls for an understanding of people of conscience and refined sensibility who are unfettered by the prejudices of our past and unencumbered by illogical myths and legends”
He added that “MANPIE says to Igbo sons and daughters be not afraid, shun seeking for the Vice President and Coordinator positions and run for the President. If the South West/South-South emerged from the presidential contest, why can’t an Igbo man emerge in 2023, so today we are saying that no Igbo man should run for Vice President in any political party, but for president”.
The Media Director of the group, Pastor Peter Dibia, emphasized that the essence of creating the group was to remind NdIgbo that the zone is ripe to pioneer the affairs of the country and now is the time.
Speaking during the inauguration, Rev. Fr. Prof. Jerome Okonkwo, told all and sundry who came to the occasion that the Igbo need unity in a time like this to be able to produce the next president of Nigeria.
According to him, democracy has been sabotaged to mean government of the elected by themselves and for themselves, instead of the original meaning of it.
“Sovereignty belongs to the people, patriotism is the love you have for your fatherland and that is what the Igbo need now”.
With Prof Protus Nathan Uzoma pointing out that the only thing that can hinder the Igbo from becoming President is dishonesty, seizing the opportunity to charge Igbos to love one another.
Inaugurating the new executive, the Vice President of the group, Hon. Clatus Amaraegbulem, charged them to take the message across- that it is time for Igbos to produce the President to restore confidence and good governance in the country.
The highlight of the program was the presentation of awards to some prominent sons and daughters of the Igbo including some of the 2023 Presidential Candidates.
