The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe,
has lamented the damage done to Nigeria by politicians that have continued to
play up tribal, religious and regional sentiments, urging Nigerians to vote for
a detribalised president in 2019.
He warned that the recent divisive agitations by
various regions to produce the President for the country are gradually striping
citizens of national identity.
The monarch, who said this at the weekend while on
courtesy call on Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, at Government House in
Jos to mark Anambra Day in the state, enjoined
citizens to rise up to rescue Nigeria “that our founding fathers worked
hard to build” from the hands of selfish politicians.
He said the damage done by politicians by playing
tribal and religious politics has given rise to the call for regional president,
noting that “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 been drumming songs of division.
These calls will not get us out of our woods until there is a collective
resolve to do away with calls for ethnic and regional presidency.
“It is a shame that we are talking about Igbo
presidency, Yoruba presidency and Hausa presidency in this country. That is not
what we need now; Nigeria should have a president that can best attend to the
needs of all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe and region.
“We need someone who will supply people with basic
necessities of life; employment for our children, good roads, food for our
stomach, health services among others. We need a president that will be a president
for all Nigerians not a president for one section of the country.”
Receiving his visitor, Lalong said: “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 our customs and values.”
Lalong acknowledged that the Igbo people are
contributing tremendously to the development of the state by generating taxes
which have helped to strengthen the state’s economy.
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