A coalition of Igbo groups has shortlisted 12 prominent Igbo politicians to run for the Nigerian presidency in 2019. The coalition comprises the World Igbo Youth Congress (WIYC), the Igbo Students’ Association (ISA) and the South-East Women Professionals (SWP). A report today in The AUTHORITY named the shortlisted politicians as:

1. Deputy Senate president, Chief Ike Ekweremadu

2. Former Anambra governor, Peter Obi

3. Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha

4. Former Abia Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu

5. immediate past first lady, Dame Patience‎ Jonathan

6. Air Comodore Ebitu Ukiwe, (rtd.)

7. Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.)

8. Oby Ezekwesili

9. Prof. Pat Utomi

10. Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

11. Senator Anyim Pius Anyim

12. Senator Hope Uzodinma

The coalition said that more persons will pass through screening by the Igbo Presidency Project Committee. The groups said they will align with the position of the Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide to begin an aggressive campaign for Igbo presidency, adding that funds will be mobilised across the world for their campaign.

They also declared that the Igbo leaders who recently had a meeting with acting president, Yemi Osinbajo do not represent Ndigbo in any form but their personal interests. The groups made the statement in a communiqué signed by Dr. Ugwu Francis, Deputy President General, WIYC, Comrade Francis Njoku and Glory Izuora, President and secretary, respectively of ISA, and Dr. Mrs. Nkem Nwuzor and Dr. Mrs. Helen Dike-Orji on behalf of the SWP.

The communiqué reads in part: “We are outraged over the recent self-serving visit of some Igbo leaders to the Aso Villa Abuja. While we respect their right as Nigerians to visit any place of their choice, we are against the use of such trips for the pursuant of personal glory and goals. “We observed with dismay that rather than present basic issues affecting the Igbo nation, they merely went there singing songs of ‘Nigeria unity.’

“It is a common knowledge that Ndigbo are grossly marginalised in every sphere of the nation, including the position of presidency.

“These cries of marginalisation have consistently fuelled Biafra agitation and the only way to end these agitations is to demonstrate, not just in words, but in practical terms that Ndigbo are part owners of the Nigeria project. “Consequently, we declare that those hosted by Osinbajo did not represent Ndigbo in any form but their personal interests.