Oluchi Opara, a former National Treasurer of Labour Party, has waded into the debate on a President of Igbo extraction for Nigeria.
In an article she signed and made available to lapalabras, Opara described as “misguided,” arguments in some quarters that Ndi-Igbo can only ascend the presidency through tribal and regional sentiments, insisting that such a belief was “detrimental to the country’s progress.”
She argued that the group would secure “the presidency by presenting a credible, capable, and meritorious candidate who embodies the values of a true Nigerian.”
Opara`s remarks was a reaction to a statement on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, who quoted the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, as saying the party zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast to wipe away the region’s `political` tears.
She said, “Unfortunately, comments like those made by Obiora Ifo of the Labour Party can sabotage Ndigbo’s chances of winning the presidency.
By perpetuating the narrative that Ndigbo can only succeed through tribal and regional sentiments, Ifo undermines the very principles of meritocracy and national unity.”
According to the former Labour Party National Treasurer, this approach is not only morally sound but it is also pragmatic.
She said “The last election, which saw Peter Obi’s remarkable performance, is a testament to the fact that Ndigbo can gain widespread acceptance across ethnic lines.
Obi’s success was not built on ethnic sentiment but on his impressive credentials and performance record which is speaking for him till today if not for the glitches he would have secured the seat for the betterment and benefit of all Nigerians.”
Continuing, she called on Ndi-Igbo to reach out to other Nigerians, insisting that the region “must reject this approach and instead focus on building a coalition of support across multi-ethnic groups. By presenting a candidate who is a true Nigerian in both spirit and action, Ndigbo can demonstrate that they are committed to the country’s progress and unity.
The presidency of Nigeria should be won on the basis of merit, not sentiment. Ndigbo must rise to this challenge and prove that they have what it takes to lead the country forward. By doing so, they will not only secure the presidency but also earn the respect and admiration of all Nigerians.”
Excerpts of Labour Party’s Statement.
PRESS RELEASE FROM LABOUR PARTY
2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure
… LP zoned presidential ticket in 2023 to SouthEast to wipe their tears
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure has said that the party is still ready and available to support Ndigbo to realise their ambition of ruling the country in future.
The National Chairman who said that the Labour Party has no regret zoning the presidency to the Southeast however tasked the leaders of the zone on the need to pursue realignment with other sections of the country and to also prioritise unity and togetherness to be able to win the presidential election in 2027.
Abure who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Labour Party rally organized by the South East party members ahead of the Area Council election slated to hold early next year also assured aspirants who came in their numbers that the party will not impose candidates on them.
According to Abure, “Before 2023 general election, I used to believe erroneously that Igbos were not united but by the time Peter Obi joined the party and I had the privilege of campaigning for him across the wards and across Nigeria, I discovered that the Igbos are the most united, most formidable, most industrious, most hardworking and most fearless, and that is why today, I have no regrets that in spite of all odds, we zoned the presidential ticket of our party to South East.
“We decided that we are going to clean the tears of the Igbos. And we powerfully and courageously did that in 2023 general election. But I think that the Igbos must also go back to the drawing board.
“The Igbos need more realignment with the other sections of the country. Over the years, students of history will agree that the Yorubas at some point were like the Igbos who were doing it all alone and they were unable to capture power.
Before, during and after independence, the Yorubas couldn’t make it to the presidency but when they realigned, it was easy for them to make it to the presidency. It is a lesson for the Igbos to learn.
“I also think that the Igbos should be strong, firm and united with a leadership. I still believe that the Igbos still need to be more united and speak with one voice. I know that everybody might not need to be together but to a very large extent, we need to be together, unity of purpose to be able to realise the dreams of the Igbos. I want to assure you that Labour Party is till ready and available to be able to support Ndigbo to realise the ambition of ruling the country in future.”
Barrister Abure also assured the aspirants that Labour Party is better than any other party in Nigeria. He said that the coming election in FCT will be between Labour Party and others.
He assured them that the primaries will be credible, free and fair and that the Labour Party will not have anointed candidates.
“The reason why Nigeria and other political parties are in trouble is because leaders always want to subvert the wishes and aspirations of the people. I as the National Chairman of the Labour Party will stand to discourage that in our party. So in this coming election, only members of the party will be the ones that will determine who becomes the candidates of the party.”
SIGN:
Obiora Ifoh
National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party
16-02-2025
