Denying Igbo presidency for attempting to break out from Nigeria unfair – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed that it is unfair not to give Igbos presidency for attempting to secede from Nigeria.
He pointed out that all three major ethnic groups in the country had, at various times, made attempts to break away from the nation. Obasanjo added that he feels disheartened whenever people claim that no Igbo person should become Nigeria’s President due to their involvement in the January 15, 1966 coup, which led to the collapse of the First Republic.
He emphasized that individuals from other regions of the country also attempted to secede. Obasanjo made these remarks while addressing a 20-member delegation from the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“I think all of us in Nigeria have to rethink… It bleeds my heart when people say because the Igbo had carried out a secession, an Igbo man cannot be the president of Nigeria, he said
“I say what nonsense? There is no section of Nigeria that has not planned a secession. What is ‘Araba’ in the North? The North planned to break up Nigeria. Ahmed Jooda, a very good friend of mine, said that.
“What is treasonable felony? So, who among us can say I am better than the other? None! So, let us put our heads together and build a country together,” he said.
