President Muhammadu Buhari, who paid a one-day visit to Igboland on Thursday, said he could not imagine a situation where an Igboman would want to opt out of Nigeria.
Buhari spoke at a town hall meeting in Owerri with the leadership of the people of the South-East, as part of his visit to Imo State.
The president’s visit came at a time that security of lives and property in the region has reached its lowest ebb apart from the time of the three-year civil war.
Besides the general insecurity currently enveloping Nigeria, the South East is burdened additionally with the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, the group campaigning for independence for the region.
While the president’s visit lasted, the roads in parts of Southeast were deserted in compliance with a sit-at-home order by IPOB.
Speaking at the meeting, Buhari noted that without peace progress would be retarded.
On the rising levels of insecurity characterised by kidnapping and murders, the president said he would want to be remembered as the President who stabilised Nigeria in the area of security, economic prosperity and triumph over corruption.
These were contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, which quoted him as saying that ‘‘If there is no security, there is nothing anyone can do no matter how much you try or the initiative you have.
‘‘Security is the number one priority and then the economy. When people feel secure they will mind their own business.”
He promised to do his best to ensure that Nigerians who try hard, succeed in their efforts.
One of the contentious issues currently in Nigeria is who will succeed Buhari as his second term ends in May 2023. Buhari, aware of the struggle for his seat, said he would remain committed to free, fair and credible elections. He however asked the leaders to educate their constituencies on the need to hold their elected representatives accountable.
President Buhari used the occasion of his visit to undo some of the negative images he had created for the southeasterners, whom he described as a mere “dot” on the map of Nigeria.
In doing this, he celebrated the resourcefulness and enterprising spirit of Igbo people, which find expression in their ubiquitous nature.
‘‘The fundamental thing about the Igbo people is that there is no town you will visit in Nigeria without seeing the Igbos being in charge of either infrastructure or pharmaceutical industry.
‘‘Therefore, it is unthinkable for me that any Igbo man would consider himself not to be a part of Nigeria.
‘‘The evidence is there for everyone to see that Igbos are in charge of Nigeria’s economy.’’
The President reassured the people of the region that the Federal Government would complete ongoing key projects in the region, which include the 2nd Niger Bridge as well as the railway lines and routes linking the region with other parts of the country.
‘‘I firmly believe that when you get infrastructure right, Nigerians will mind their own businesses,’’ he said, adding that as a group, the Igbos stand to benefit more from the ongoing development of infrastructure in
Speaking at the town hall meeting, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma said the southeasterners believe in a united Nigeria that is predicated on ‘‘justice, equity and fairness.’’
He expressed gratitude to the President on behalf of the Igbos for some of the actions he has taken in their interest. These include approving the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta Local Government Area of the State, adding that as time unfolds, the economic benefits of the base would manifest.
The others are the President’s support for the appointment of two prominent Igbos into two key international organisations-Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General of Health Emergency Intelligence, World Health Organisation (WHO).
Welcoming the President, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, pledged the continuous support of the Igbos for Buhari.
‘‘Ndigbo is committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria.
‘‘Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean and no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.
‘‘Mr President, it is in this context, that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igbo land and believe that on your return to Abuja the significance and substance of this visit will form a new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of concern to the Igbo nation,’’ Obiozor said.