By Ifeanyi Okonkwo
Professor Kingsley Moghalu (Ifekaego Nnewi) has urged Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) to join the hands in making sure that the voice of Ndigbo is heard in the politics of Nigeria.
Moghalu in his address at the 2021 ASATU awards and cultural fiesta held today December 18, 2021 at the Alex Ekwueme square, Awka, Anambra state, described the Igbos as political minority in Nigeria.
The presidential candidate at the 2019 general election while commending the members of ASATU for the roles they played at the Anambra governorship election which he described as peaceful reminded them that local governance in the state and the organization of the grassroots is in their hands.
The former governor of central bank lamented over the positions of Ndigbo in Nigerians politics urging the south east zone to step up their game.
“The Igbos are facing a very difficult time in Nigeria. It looks as if Ndigbo are political minority in Nigeria despite the fact that we have at least 30 million Igbos in this country. Yet if you look at the Nigerian’s political arrangement, it looks like Igbos are minority.
Why?. It is because we the Igbos need to arrange their selves better. When I joined politics in 1999, I decided that I will not join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) or the All Progressive Congress (APC) because I have a view that these parties cannot take Nigeria to where it needs to be. They are more like a social club.
“The masses of this country are increasingly poor. We have security challenges in the south east, our youths don’t have jobs duo to unemployment.
“The purpose of politics is governance but in Nigeria, the purpose of politics is politics. That was why I decided to form a new party.
“The APC and PDP have no regards for Ndigbo. Otherwise, there should be no discussion or debate about where the next president should come from. Igbos in APC and PDP are slaves.
“Ndigbo needs to change their strategy so that they can become relevant in Nigerian’s politics. We should put our best foot forward. I intend to be a candidate for the presidency of Nigeria in 2023.
“I need the backing and support of ASATU. I have the competence, the track record are there. What matters is not the political party but the candidate.
“The hausa’s and yoruba’s are the once ruling Nigeria while they keep telling the Igbo’s to join the main stream. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we have a duty to be strategic to pursue our interest. ASATU is the appropriate group to send this message.
“Ndigo should be fighting for the constitutional restructuring of Nigeria. This country is a multi-ethnic federation and it should become one in reality like it used to be in the 1960’s.
“There should be state police. Everything is centralized in Abuja and it has made our lives worst.
