OWERRI — All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi believes the agitation for an independent state of Biafra championed by the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) will be over if the next president emerges from the South-East.
Umahi stated this when he addressed delegates of the party from the South-East in Imo State at a consultative meeting in Owerri, the state capital, on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor was received by his counterpart in Imo, Hope Uzodimma, chairmen of the party in the zone, delegates and some stakeholders of the party.
Umahi said the country needs a president from the South-East geopolitical zone in 2023 to correct the injustices meted out to the Igbos.
“Let me tell Nigerians that there is nothing to be afraid of in an Igbo man becoming president. We need to be wise and stand together,” he stated.
“We have property and investments everywhere, so when people tell you about Biafra, it is not about seceding at all.
“We want one Nigeria built on the platform of equity, fairness and justice; the Igbo man will do better under a united Nigeria. We want to be fairly treated.”
Noting that the North-East and South-East are the most marginalised regions in Nigeria, the governor stressed the need for rotation between the North and South.
“My position is that our brothers from the South-South and South-West should give us a chance on the same platform upon which we demand that the presidency should come to the South-East,” said Umahi.
“The moment they do that in the spirit of oneness, you will see everything falling in place and it will be swift.
“But if the presidency is rotated between regions, I have continued to say that the North-East and South-East are the two regions that are most marginalized.
“Remove zoning and let us wear our credibility, capacities and ability to perform; we can take Nigeria to the next level. We can improve on the great work of President Buhari.”
