Igbo women under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), have faulted and rejected the separate reported opinions of their two sons namely, the Works Minister , Senator David Umahi and Mr Kenneth Okonkwo, a former Nollywood Star and top supporter of the presidential bid of Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party

While Umahi was reported to have said that President Tinubu has been very fair to the South East and that no south easterner can win the Presidency in 2027, advised Ndigbo to instead, support President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Okonkwo had reportedly opined that it is only a northern candidate that can win President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Reacting to the duo’s opinions, IWA President General ( PG) Lolo Nneka Chimezie faulted them, dismissed and described their opinions as “empty defeatist rhetorics” “narrowly-minded and suspicious”.

The women group stated that regarding the marginalization of Ndigbo, especially in federal political appointments by the Tinubu administration, the difference between President Tinubu and his predecessors is yet to be seen.

The IWA PG consequently urged Umahi to publish the names of South Easterners appointed as heads of federal agencies and parastatals by Tinubu, ” for us to know he has been fair to us more than other zones? If president Tinubu so much loves Ndigbo as Umahi claims, why is our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu still in detention over two years since two years after Tinnubu came to power?

According to IWA, “in as much as the marginalization 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.”

Advising Umahi and other Igbos she tagged sycophantic and self-centred politicians” to learn fast from their counterparts in other zones “who know how to place regional interests above personal gains”, the Igbo women group lamented 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.

” We don’t know why Igbo political elite cannot join the rest of Nigerians in supporting one of their own who the rest of the country, today seems to be rooting for. The suffering masses of Nigeria irrespective of their tribe and religion believe in taking back their country, and they will disappoint Umahi and his likes.”

IWA cautioned Okonkwo against stunting his fast-growing profile and followership with “unguarded and suspicious political rhetorics, stating that “Igbo women have respect for Kenneth Okonkwo because he appears to be one of the finest intelligent Igbo gentlemen we have.

“Okonkwo’s passion for Igbo cause has earned him respect among Ndigbo especially Igbo women and youths disclosing ” IWA considers his remarks that it’s only a Northern presidential candidate that can win President Tinubu in 2027 as suspicious. It has left many of his admirers confused, and for us, that statement has no bearing.

IWA queried “how come Kenneth Okonkwo’s myopic lense could not see that the hope of Nigerians is now on South East to lead them out of this wilderness? At no time are Nigerians ready and willing to support a President of Igbo extraction than now hence,. Kenneth Okonkwo should cast off his garment of pessimism and remain firm in the movement he once identified with!

To the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Coalition , IWA advised it not to make the mistake of not considering a Southerner for its presidential ticket, predicting that the ADC coalition will naturally lose the support of the South if it fields a Northern presidential candidate in 2027.

“The truth remains that no Northern presidential candidate will have the sympathy of Southern voters in 2027 because the presidency has to still reside in the South for eight years before it goes back to the North.

” 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!”.

Reported By GORDI UDEAJAH