Obi of Onitsha tasks politicians to rescue Nigeria

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has tasked all stakeholders, especially the political class to work hard to rescue Nigeria for Nigerians so that the citizens can reclaim the country that its founding fathers fought hard to build.

He said that in rescuing Nigeria, politicians must stop playing party politics of religion and ethnicity, adding that it is a plague that is fast consuming the country.

The Obi of Onitsha said this, at the weekend in Jos, while on a courtesy visit to Governor Simon Lalong at Government House.

The monarch was in the state to attend activities to mark this year’s Anambra Day, in Plateau state.

Answering questions from journalists shortly after the visit, the royal father said that the damage done by politicians who engage in tribal and religious politics has given rise to the call for a regional president.

“Nigeria does not need a regional president, but someone who will provide basic needs of life for the entire country without bias.

“The country has being drumming songs of division through advocacy for an Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa president. This call will not get us out of our woes until there is a collective resolve to do away with ethnic and regional presidency.

“It is a shame that we are talking about Igbo presidency, Yoruba presidency and Hausa presidency in this country. Nigeria should have a president that can best attend to the needs of all Nigerians, irrespective of where one comes from.

“We need someone who will supply people with basic necessities of life, employment for our children, good roads, food in our stomach and good health services among others.

“He should be able to provide the basic things that government provides; whether it is provided by an Igbo president or Hausa president, it does not matter.

“We need a president that will be a president for all Nigerians, not a president for one section or the other. If you say an Igbo president in 2023, he has to be a president for the whole of Nigeria.

“I don’t believe in regional presidency; I don’t believe in Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa president. It sounds divisive; we want a president of Nigeria that is elected by all Nigerians to take care of the interest of all Nigerians without showing any bias, that is what we are looking for,” he stated.

In his remarks, Governor Simon Lalong, said that Nigeria remains an indivisible entity under President Muhammadu Buhari and the country will remain stronger under his leadership beyond 2019.

“Nigeria is one and it will remain one for everybody as long as we respect the customs and values of each other,” he added.

Lalong said that the Igbos are contributing tremendously to the development of Plateau state by generating taxes which has helped to strengthen the state’s economy.