By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Chief Damian Ogene-Okeke, has called on people of the South East to play tactful and peaceful politics that will lead to the emergence of a President of Igbo extraction come 2023.

He said the goal can be achieved by reaching out to other zones and convincing them on why an Igboman must be President.

The Ohanaeze Vice President spoke Thursday at a forum in Awka, Anambra State capital, organised by National Forum for South East President of Igbo Extraction. He warned against using violence in the pursuit of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction

While maintaining that there is no alternative to Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, Ogene-Okeke added: “Nobody gets the president of a country from his home. We cannot be in the comfort of our homes and be saying it is our turn to produce a president without coming out for it.

“We must be courageous about the agitation for the president of Nigeria from Igbo extraction.

“We cannot get the president on a platter of gold. We must be prepared for it. We want to test the position and we must move forward. You cannot be demanding for president and at the same time penciling some for destruction.

“No one zone can produce a president without the support of others. We have no other alternative than the president of Igbo extraction today in Nigeria.

“For Nigeria to be country, Igboman must be involved. The Igboman must apply the game of senses and not a game of violence because we cannot get any meaningful thing through violence.”

Earlier in his speech, the convener of the forum, Dr. Patrick Enuneku, said that Igbo man believes in one united and peaceful Nigeria.

He said that the tension in the country will reduce if an Igbo man becomes President.

Enuneku added: “Today Nigeria is on the verge of collapse, but God forbid. If the Igbo man gets the position of Nigeria president, it will help to reduce the tension in the country.

“It is the turn of the Igboman to be president.”

• PHOTO: The convener,Dr. Patrick Enuneku, speaking Thursday at the Awka forum organised by National Forum for South East President of Igbo Extraction. PHOTO: NAN.