Group slams present crop of Igbo leaders

A Pan-Igbo grassroots socio-cultural organisation, Imeobi Igbo Forum (IIF), has described the present crop of politicians in the South East as the ‘worst in history.’

The group also said the present legislators of the region at the National Assembly have failed Igbo race, insisting they should be barred from contesting the 2023 general elections.

National Chairman of the forum, Dr. Mike Ikegulu, who stated this in a press statement he issued yesterday, berated them for their public conduct and utterances, describing it as ‘disappointing’ and ‘painful,’ just to please the chieftains of some ethnic groups.

Ikegulu said: “Since the emergence of the present crop of Igbo political and business elites, Ndigbo have continued to be shamed and short-changed. We are not genuinely being represented in any sphere of Nigeria’s affairs.

“Their public conduct and utterances are disappointing and painful, just to please the chieftains of some ethnic groups. These members of the Igbo elite have abandoned Ndigbo.

“Those at the National Assembly are insensitive to our collective interests. Never lent their voices on anything of interest to Ndigbo for selfish interests.”

He, therefore, called on the people to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise and procure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and be ready to vote out leaders who have not meant well for the region.

He lamented that the present system of governance in Nigeria is alien to Ndigbo.

“They keep mum over the atrocities committed by occupying forces and continuing intimidation and slaughter of Igbo youths.

“Igbo politicians followed the dollars during the parties’ primary elections, disregarding the recurring political realities, which give us the short end of the stick.

“The present and future generations of Ndigbo would look down on present members of Igbo political and economic elite, who have largely relocated to Abuja, as the worst in history.

“The present Igbo legislators in the National Assembly should not be allowed back, for toying with the destiny of Ndigbo in a complex country like Nigeria.

“They are there for self, family and friends. One wonders why they are gearing up to return to the same indolent representation at the National Assembly in 2023,” Ikegalu said.