By Nna Anulumadu
The House Member representing Onitsha South II constituency, Hon. Barr. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, has charged fellow Igbos to leave no stone unturned in producing Mr. Peter Obi as the next Nigerian president in the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker made the call on Thursday, September 4th, while fielding questions from the press during a religious function at Onitsha.
Hon. Umennajiego stated that it is time an Igbo man becomes the president of Nigeria, recalling that since the country’s existence, no person from Igbo nation has emerged as president apart from Aguiyi Ironsi, who mounted the seat by circumstances and was overthrown within a short period. Other past Nigerian presidents include Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo (both as military head of state and civilian president), Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari (as military head of state and president), Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari again as president and Bola Tinubu currently the Nigerian president.
He described the lingering development as unacceptable and charged Igbos not to relent in supporting their own brother, Mr. Obi, who is the only Igbo close to the presidential seat based on the level of acceptance he has gained so far in the country, especially during the last presidential election.
The lawmaker advised Igbos to give Obi every support and encouragement that will help him succeed, describing his presidential ambition as a project that every Igbo person should support, notwithstanding party affiliations.
Hon. Umennajiego further called on Anambra residents to facilitate this process by voting in a governor in the November polls who will not turn out to be anti-Obi, as that will greatly help in achieving the project.
He emphasized that the emergence of an Igbo president will be a significant milestone in the country’s history and will bring about much-needed development and progress to the region.
The lawmaker’s call is expected to galvanize Igbos to rally behind Mr. Obi and support his presidential ambition.
