North-based Igbo leaders back Buhari’s presidential bid

Some Igbo leaders on Friday pledged their support for Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The leaders, who represent the Igbo people in the 19 northern states, described Buhari as firm and principled.

Sunday Eyama, president of the Igbo Delegate Assembly of the 19 northern states, led a delegation of Igbo leaders to Buhari’s campaign office in Abuja, where he said the people of the southeast desired change and saw the need to formally show support for the APC candidate.

“We are appealing to you to use the magic wand you used in 1984 to promote peace between the southeast and the north,” Eyama said.

“We back your aspiration, and we believe that an Igbo son will be president after you.”

He identified security as the greatest need of the Igbo in the north, urging Buhari to ensure the protection of their businesses.

Uche Egeton, president of the Igbo traditional heads in the 19 northern states, also vowed to work for the election Buhari.

“We are here to lend credence to your aspiration. We are here because we know you are a man of discipline, and we know you are not a corrupt man,” he said.

“We are here because we want to live together as brothers and sisters. And we are here because we don’t want another war. It is easier for us to work with you because you are firm. We salute your courage and we plead with you to help sanitise Nigeria.

“We are here to affirm our support for permanent voter cards (PVCs) and card readers, and we are here to plead with you to remember the Igbo people are behind you.”

Welcoming the delegations, Buhari described meeting with the Igbo leaders as “an act of God”.

He said that other exigencies almost aborted the meeting, but added that he was resolute about meeting with the Igbo leaders because of its importance.

He spoke on the need for the emergence of a people’s government, adding: “We just have to get rid of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and start rebuilding Nigeria.

“I am grateful for your kindness and your decision to leave your stations to see me in Abuja. I assure you, you won’t regret it.”

Also speaking, John Oyegun, national chairman of the APC, described the Igbo people as the “most dynamic in the country,” extolling their sense of nationhood and belief in the country.

He however urged them not “to put their eggs in one basket”, arguing that the southeast had supported the PDP for 16 years with very little to show for their loyalty.

“On the issue of Igbo presidency, if you are 100 percent in one camp and we nominate an Igbo man for president, how are we sure you will vote for him?” he asked.