By CHIMEZIE ANASO

Igbos For Progressive And United Nationhood (IPAN), a political pressure group, has called on the Southeast region to stop complaining of marginalisation but begin conscious efforts to participate in the next political dispensation.

IPAN, which made the call at a news conference in Awka on Saturday, chided politicians from the geopolitical zone for not having made a public declaration of their intention to contest for the presidency in the 2023 general election.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Comrade Lawrence Onuzulike, the National President of IPAN, said they are yet to see Southeast engage in consultation and formation of alliance across the political regions.

Onuzulike said Igbo politicians interested in contesting in the 2023 Presidential Election should be bold enough to declare their intention and begin the necessary move to actualise it.

According to him, “we must not continue to shout marginalisation in leadership only to be found far away from the thick of action when there is an opportunity to offer ourselves in leadership.

“IPAN notes while potential aspirants from other regions are making serious moves in preparation for the presidential race, no Igbo aspirant has shown real seriousness or intention to vie for the office of the President in 2023.

“What we see are watery statements from some individuals and groups insisting on Igbo presidency in 2023. IPAN strongly believes that 2023 presents the biggest opportunity for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction to emerge.

“However, we must go beyond rhetorics and make the necessary moves to actualize it, it is obvious that the presidency will not be handed over to Ndigbo on a platter of gold.

“IPAN therefore calls on potential Igbo aspirants in the major political parties to wake up and put themselves in contention for the presidential tickets in their parties.

“We will help, when necessary to engage other stakeholders across the country and build alliances for these aspirants if only they show more seriousness,” he said.

The group called on Igbo sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora to continue to preach and embrace peace and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

It said no nation could grow in an atmosphere of violence, chaos and bitterness, adding that all must strive to respect one another and learn to resolve differences through genuine dialogue. (NAN)

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