By Correspondent in Minna
The Presidential candidate for the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Dr. Valentine Iheukwumere Oparaocha, has observed that what the Igbo citizens needed most was security for his lives and businesses,addi adding that he would pursue that, if voted into power.
He made the promise while soeaspea with journalists in Minna
Oparaocha, a retired State Security Service (SSS) officer said he joined the race for the number one seat of the apex Igbo organisation, knowing what his people needed at this critical period and how to go about guaranteeing that, if given the mandate.
Oparaocha said part of his 3-points agenda would include security build-up around the lives of easterners, Igbos in particular wherever they might find themselves globally.
Oparaocha who holds the title of Ochudo Ndigbo, said after retiring from meritorious service to his country, he decided to offer himself for service to his Igbo people because he knew and understood their pains and worries more than any other contestant.
He also promised to work hand-in-hand with Governors of the eastern states and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to ensure that the safety of the region from all forms of incursions by people with evil intention.
The aspirant, who said the 19 Northern States Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Fedrall Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja had endorsed him, pledged not jettison youths in the region but encourage them on the need to discover their talents and be self reliant.
Oparaocha, who said he believed in the indivisibility of Nigeria, added that the Igbos would be better-off remaining part of the country but will put his wealth of experience as security officer in providing what the easterners had been yearning for, over the years.
He said: “Managing the ESN is far better than trying to break up Nigeria or agitating for a separate country, Biafra.
“With kidnapping and banditry becoming embarrassment to the Nigerian government, the network is certainly a good development that will help security agencies neutralize some of these security situations.We have and I think that is working out very well in the east.
” But they must seek legitimacy because we cannot forget in a hurry about the Onitsha and the Bakassi boys and the attendant clash of interests. There have been many other difficult security situations solved with the help of such well organized regional vigilante groups.”
He said the likes of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) needed to be properly guided aright, “I see the IPOB composition as mostly young people or youth organization that did not see the Nigerian/Biafran civil war. They’re equally being supported and sponsored. But they need to be guided”.
“People should not die for a cause they believe in and I am sure you will agree with me that, it hasn’t gotten to that level yet.
“I never like this Egwueke thing, set up to checkmate the IPOB. That thing could have been averted and this again is centered on the security where I will be displaying my wealth of experience as security expertise in protecting the Igbo and by extension, the entire eastern Nigeria”.
On the 2023 Igbo Presidency, Oparaocha said he believed that “what is good for the Geese is also good for the Gander.”;
He recalled that:”Since Nigeria’s independent in 1960 years, north had produced Presidents of this country more than the entire south against this rotational Presidency arrangement.
“In southern Nigeria again, the South-Southwest has had its slot, followed by the South-South in the person of the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, though he did for one term after completing his joint ticket with late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“What is bad if an easterner or Igbo man in particular becomes President of this country in 2023?
For effective piloting of its affairs, Oparaocha promised the Igbos that, “I will consolidate on the gains of my predecessors, Chief Nnia Nwodo who has done his best to bring Ohaneze Ndigbo to where we are today”.
He was, however, quick to add that, “My priority if by God’s grace I emerge the next Ohaneze President is to work for Nigeria’s next President of Igbo extraction in the next election.
” I will put all machineries to work, because there is no way we can achieve the desired success from outside the nation’s seat of power; the Aso Rock and the National Assembly.”
