Igbo women, under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), have expressed their disgust over statement by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, claiming that President Tinubu has been very fair to the South East.
Umahi had, in a statement on Monday, stated that the Presidency was not realisable for the South East in 2027, advising Ndigbo to rather support President Tinubu in 2027 elections.
The Igbo women in a statement on Tuesday, expressed their disappointment over the position by Umahi, dismissing his view as “empty defeatist rhetoric, narrowly-minded and suspicious”.
The women in a strong-worded statement issued by the National President of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, described Umahi as beginning to manifest “signs of slave mentality and invasive sycophantic malady”, challenging him “to publish what President Tinubu has done specially for the South East to confirm the imaginary special love he has for Ndigbo”.
According to IWA, the difference between President Tinubu and his predecessors is yet to be seen regarding Igbo marginalisation, especially in political appointments, stating, “May we remind Umahi that Tinubu has not shown that he is different from Buhari in sidelining Ndigbo from political appointments. Is Umahi not aware that two out of five Ministers from South East in Tinubu’s cabinet are junior Ministers at a time one state in South West has three Ministers?
“Can Umahi publish the names of people from South East appointed heads of federal agencies and parastatals by Tinubu for us to know he has been fair to us more than other zones? If he so much loves Ndigbo as Umahi claims: Why is our son Mazi Nnamdi Kanu still in detention over two years he came to power? Why is Enugu-Aba rail track still inactive? We hope Umahi is aware that every geopolitical zone now has regional development commission.”
According to them: “In as much as the marginalisation and political exclusion of Ndigbo did not begin with President Tinubu, he hasn’t done anything either to suggest he wants to stop or change the narrative”.
The Igbo women advised Umahi and “other Igbo sycophantic and self-centred politicians” to learn fast from their counterparts from other zones “who know how to place regional interests above personal gains”, while regretting that instead of using their privileged positions to advance the Igbo cause, the Igbo political elite rather derive pleasure in “over-blowing the trumpets of their pay masters to curry more favour even at the expense of the entire Igbo race.”
IWA advised Umahi to “look at the current conditions of other Igbo political traitors like you who sang similar tunes in the past”.
“Our advice for you is to look back at politically-correct Igbo elite like you who were used and dumped by the same people you are today shouting their praises and advised Igbo political elite to stop their direct and indirect attacks on Peter Obi who many Nigerians believe, has the competence, readiness and capacity to take the country out of the woods.”
The group also faulted Nollywood superstar, Kenneth Okonkwo’s statement that it is only a Northern candidate that can uproot President Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
IWA cautioned the actor-turned-politician not to puncture and stunt his fast-growing profile and followership with “unguarded and suspicious political rhetoric”, stating its respect for Okonkwo, who, according to them, “is another Igbo man after Nnamdi Kanu in terms of passion for Igbo cause”.
The statement further read: “Igbo women have respect for Kenneth Okonkwo because he appears to be one of the finest intelligent Igbo gentlemen we have. He is someone who has been very diligent in identifying with Igbo cause and defending Igbo interests. In fact, after Nnamdi Kanu, he is the next Igbo man who is very passionate about the Igbo cause.
“His passion for Igbo cause has earned him respect among Ndigbo especially Igbo women and youths but he should watch his back so he does not lose the good will. He should not allow political sentiments set him against the people. IWA considers his remarks that it’s only a Northern presidential candidate can win President Tinubu in 2027 as suspicious. It has left many of his admirers confused. For us, that statement has no bearing.”
“Kenneth Okonkwo should know that Nigerians have come to realise that Peter Obi’s candidacy is not about Igbo presidency but about fixing Nigeria and making it to work for all. The clamour is beyond tribe and political party; it’s a clamour for competence, justice and accountability”, they warned and also urged Igbo political elites “to stop destroying themselves”, arguing that “If Peter Obi was able to poll over 6 million votes in 2023 without structure, how much more now with the building momentum of the coalition movement”.
IWA used the opportunity to advise the coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC), not to make the mistake of not considering a Southerner for its presidential ticket, arguing that the coalition will naturally lose the support of the South if it fields a Northern presidential candidate in 2027.
They warned: “If ADC fails to give its presidential ticket to a Southern candidate with national appeal like Peter Obi, the coalition will fail. The South has not completed their turn and it will be injustice for the North to think of hijacking power again in 2027. The whole South will cast off party and tribal sentiments and unite against such move!”