Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo-social cultural group has described Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as a forward-looking leader and unifier that the country needs at this time to unite all her people.
The former Lagos State Governor is in the United Kingdom where he’s recuperating from an undisclosed ailment. The Igbo group, who described the APC National Leader as a friend of the people of the South East, prayed for his quick recovery so that he can return to the country ahead the 2023 election.
Some considers the group’s position as a subtle endorsement of the politician, mostly described as the strongman of Lagos politics, for the presidential race, contrary to the views of leaders of the Zone that one of their own succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari. This, obviously, will no go down well with some Igbo-centric people who believe it is their turn to rule the country, analyst say.
Ohanaeze’s Deputy Secretary-General, Dimm Uche Okwukwu, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said Tinubu is rallying point for the south as the country prepares for the critical election.
The group’s scribed said the former governor deserved accolades for doing so much for Igbo, particularly, for being the first state governor to appoint South Easterners to his cabinet.
Okwukwu said the APC stalwarts represents many things to different people in the country, but that for Igbo he’s a benefactor.
According to him “to Nigerians in general, he is one of the authors of this democracy we enjoy today. He put in so much energy as chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, to make sure that Nigeria was returned to democracy in 1999.
“To Yorubas, he is a home-grown leader. Southern Nigeria sees him as a patriot and foremost unifier. “Igbo people see Asiwaju as their protector. We remember that as governor of Lagos State, he appointed an Igbo man from Anambra State, Ben Akabueze, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for eight years, 1999-2007.
“The import of his gesture was not lost on Igbos all over the world and we are very proud of Asiwaju. Indeed, we call him “Nwanne di na mba,” a brother in foreign land.
“Ndigbo pray God Almighty grants Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu quick recovery, particularly now that Nigeria is in serious transition. We need him for the unification of the Southern bloc of Nigeria.
“We need him to mentor the younger generations. Nigerians need Asiwaju to inspire them. We need him to guide us in the right path of democracy. Nigerians want him home in good health,” he said.
The APC stalwarts is believed to be nursing a presidential ambition, though he has not publicly said so. His London home has recently become a Mecca of sort for many politicians in the country, including President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some politicians and groups have been calling on him to join the presidential race. The admonition, by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, many say may be another endorsement of Asiwaju quest to succeed President Buhari.
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