As the race for who will occupy Aso rock come 2023 when Buhari tenure elapses heats up, many would be contestants for the soon to be vacant throne have started indicating their intentions, while others are still studying the political climate before joining the ring.
It is on this note that I decided to pen this article to wake Ndiigbo from their sentiment driven slumber especially with respect to the possible emergence of Rotimi Amaechi as APC flag bearer after some whisperings have emerged that he could possibly be Buhari chosen candidate.

Amaechi Rotimi is no stranger to Nigerian politics, his foray into Abuja politics started in 2014 when he decamped to APC where he played a big role in helping Buhari and APC unseat GEJ from his office in 2015.
Being in control of the oil rich Rivers state, Amaechi had enormous financial muscle to bring to proceedings and never wasted time to deploy them in favor of APC. This helped him clinch the ministerial post in Buhari cabinet which he has held since then until now.

Being such a trusted ally of Buhari who helped him to power, many have always believed that he nurses a presidential ambition which Buhari might feel obligated to oblige to as a token of gratitude. However there is also a big matter of Tinubu who also played a big role in Buhari ascension to power.
As expected, Tinubu and his supporters have at all times seen Amaechi as a big threat to their 2023 presidential ambitions.
Consequently, it is not a surprise that they are rattled by the prospects of him being Buhari preferred candidate for APC. But the question is: Should Ndiigbo also be worried about Amaechi emergence?

The answer to the above question is Yes and No!
If Amaechi is contesting as an Ikwerre/Rivers man or South South man, then Ndiigbo should have no cause for alarm.
But if he is going to compete under the pretense of being Igbo, then every well meaning Igbo should be worried and must fight against that.

First of all. It must be stated clearly that as of today, Ikwerre is not officially Igbo.
The Apex Ikwerre socio cultural and Political organization which all Ezes and elites of Ikwerre are members of, the Ogbakor Ikwerre, hold the Opinion that Ikwerre is an independent Ethnic nationality with origin from Bini empire!
Both Amaechi and all so called Igbo claiming Ikwerre people in Ohanaeze Ndiigbo and other Igbo organizations who are deceiving emotionally driven Igbos, are also members of Ogbakor Ikwerre and have their own kings back home as well as their community leaders as bonafide members of Ogbakor Ikwerre whose Igbophobic stand on issues are no secret to other Nigerians.
It must also be well stated that Amaechi has at no time written a public address to Ogbakor Ikwerre condemning their Anti Igbo stance, instead Amaechi sponsored Ogbakor Ikwerre when he was a governor of Rivers State.

Furthermore, Amaechi at different times in history has never missed the opportunity to disclaim being Igbo, cast doubts on Igbo aspirations, or simply address Ndiigbo as "they".

Below was Amaechi stance on his Igbo identity in a public function held in Igboland :
"The highlight of the event, for me, was when Item High Chief, Prof. Joe Irukwu, took the microphone to personally honour and introduce Amaechi when it was his turn to say a few nice words for Arumma. Irukwu described Amaechi correctly as the “high-performing” Governor of Rivers and a “true Igbo son”. But when Amaechi took the mike he “corrected” Irukwu and emphasised: “I am an Ikwerre man!” That really ruffled feathers".

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/chibuike-amaechi-ndi-igbo-and-2023/amp/

On Igbo presidency, this is what Amaechi Rotimi had to say.
In an interview with The Sun, Amaechi said that the Igbo have nothing to bring to the negotiating table for 2023 presidency.

“I don’t know what they will do now for voting against the APC,” he said.


“For refusing to support the APC, they cannot come to the table to demand the presidency slot.

“For people like us in the APC, if the Igbo had come and voted Buhari, they would boldly tell Mr President and the National Chairman of the party that presidency should go the Southeast since the South-south; South-west and North-west have produced president. What argument would the Southeast come up with now to convince anybody that they deserve the slot for 2023 president?”

Pay attention to Amaechi deliberate use of "they" to refer to the Igbo.
No one refers to a group they consider themselves part of with "they".
Interesting to also note that Amaechi doesn't believe that Ndiigbo should ask APC for presidential slot, reason being by his twisted logic that SE despite having a state controlled by APC , didn't give majority of the votes to Buhari during the elections.

Ndiigbo would have committed political suicide if they don't come out now and denounce Amaechi and his cunning Bini Ikwerre people.
These people are not Igbos and have taken enough time to humiliate Ndiigbo and tell the whole world they are not Igbo.
Those Igbos still counting Ikwerre as Igbo are simply being pathetic simps.
This shouldn't be tolerated.

If you are an Igbo and you like Rotimi, then by all means vote for him as you would vote an Ijaw man like GEJ, Yoruba man like OBJ, Fulanis like Yaradua and Atiku.
But never you vote for him under the sentiment that he or Ikwerre people are Igbos or try to pass of his candidature as that Igbo, because they are not.
Never give non Igbos the chance to claim that Amaechi and Ikwerre presidency, is same as Igbo presidency.
Because doing this will be tantamount to self deception and it will take us no where.

Some Igbos opine that maybe supporting Amaechi will bring Ikwerre back to the Igbo fold.
But this is a very flawed perception. One of key reasons Ikwerre rejected Igbo tag post civil war is their conviction that they are better off without the Igbo tag.
In other words, they felt they are stronger in Nigeria when they stand alone. And to some extent, considering how Igbo political fortunes suffered post civil war, their gamble have somewhat paid off.
If we allow one of them become president by cunningly claiming he is one of us when we know he isn't, we would only have strengthened Ikwerre resolve that they are better without us.
I mean why should they become Igbo when they can emotionally manipulate politically blind Igbos into allowing them reap the benefits of being Igbo while still retaining their non Igbo and even Igbophobic stand?
Infact Igbo detractors would happily support Amaechi and Ikwerre people to hijack Igbo presidency because they too know deep inside that Ikwerres are Igbophobic and are by no means Igbo. We would indeed be the real losers in such arrangement and the joke would be on us.
Supporting an Ikwerre president in Amaechi will not bring them closer to the Igbo, it will only feed their vain ego and overbloated sense of importance.
We would have scored own goal when we do so.

Finally, if as an Igbo you find Amaechi a worthy presidential candidate, please do support him by all means, but never do so because you think he and Ikwerre are Igbos, because they are not. Always be clear that Amaechi and Ikwerre are non Igbos, and that Amaechi presidency will be as good as Tinubu, Atiku or GEJ presidency as far as Ndiigbo are concerned. Please do note that there are some proud Igbo groups in SS, but Ikwerre is not one of them. Any Ikwerre person that think otherwise should take his petition to his Eze back home who can then take him to Ogbakor Ikwerre to clear him.
This Ikwerre deception has gone on for too long and must now stop.

Ndeewo nu.

Op are you done?

Blah!! Blah igbo this igbo that abi na only igbo dey nairaland

Anijay1212:
Op are you done?

Allow us to read and add our input.

Though I won't waste my vote on Amaechi or any Rotimi.

I dont think this article is necessary. The Presidency of Nigeria is based on geopolitical zone, not ethnicity

If the Presidency becomes about ethnic group, there are over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria. So it does not really matter if Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi is Igbo, Ikwerre, Ijaw or Ogonl. If he runs, he will running as someone from the South/South geopolitical zone regardless of what ethnic group he professes

gidgiddy:
I dont think this article is necessary. The Presidency of Nigeria is based on geopolitical zone, not ethnicity

If the Presidency becomes about ethnic group, there are over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria. So it does not really matter if Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi is Igbo, Ikwerre, Ijaw or Ogonl. If he runs, he will running as someone from the South/South geopolitical zone regardless of what ethnic group he professes

Amaechi and Ikwerre are not Igbos and it matters that Ndiigbo make it obvious for all and sundry to take note of.
Thank you.

And yes you are right about the geopolitical arrangement.
But it is also right we point out that Amaechi and Ikwerre are not Igbos, because Nigeria is not a place ruled by rationality.
Therefore these things though normally obvious must be emphasized.

gidgiddy:
I dont think this article is necessary. The Presidency of Nigeria is based on geopolitical zone, not ethnicity

If the Presidency becomes about ethnic group, there are over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria. So it does not really matter if Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi is Igbo, Ikwerre, Ijaw or Ogonl. If he runs, he will running as someone from the South/South geopolitical zone regardless of what ethnic group he professes

This doesn’t cut it , it is the turn of the igbos and if APC hands the presidency to amaechi on the basis of serving the turn of the igbos , we reject it completely and will vote for a northern or even tinubu, amaechi is not an igbo man and ikwerres are not igbos QED

amuwo1980:

This doesn’t cut it , it is the turn of the igbos and if APC hands the presidency to amaechi on the basis of serving the turn of the igbos , we reject it completely and will vote for a northern or even tinubu, amaechi is not an igbo man and ikwerres are not igbos QED

Exactly my point.
Thanks.
Anybody projecting Amaechi with hope they could use him to assuage the call for Igbo presidency must be cleared right now and not later.
Ndiigbo must be unequivocal about this.

amuwo1980:

This doesn’t cut it , it is the turn of the igbos and if APC hands the presidency to amaechi on the basis of serving the turn of the igbos , we reject it completely and will vote for a northern or even tinubu, amaechi is not an igbo man and ikwerres are not igbos QED

The Presidency is not about ethnic group, it is about geopolitical zone. Any day the Presidency becomes about Presidency then the 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria will also come out for it.

It does matter what ethnic group Amaechi belongs to, if he runs, he will be running as someone from the South/South

Ok

Igboid:
First of all. It must be stated clearly that as of today, Ikwerre is not officially Igbo.
The Apex Ikwerre socio cultural and Political organization which all Ezes and elites of Ikwerre are members of, the Ogbakor Ikwerre, hold the Opinion that Ikwerre is an independent Ethnic nationality with origin from Bini empire!
Both Amaechi and all so called Igbo claiming Ikwerre people in Ohanaeze Ndiigbo and other Igbo organizations who are deceiving emotionally driven Igbos, are also members of Ogbakor Ikwerre and have their own kings back home and Community leaders as members of Ogbakor Ikwerre whose Igbophobic stand on issues are no secret to other Nigerians.
It must also be well stated that Amaechi have at no time written a public address to Ogbakor Ikwerre condemning their Anti Igbo stance, instead Amaechi sponsored Ogbakor Ikwerre when he was a governor of Rivers State.

Furthermore, Amaechi at different times in history have never missed the opportunity to disclaim being Igbo, bashing Igbos, or simply addressing Ndiigbo as "they".

Below was Amaechi stance on his Igbo identity in a public function held in Igboland :
"The highlight of the event, for me, was when Item High Chief, Prof. Joe Irukwu, took the microphone to personally honour and introduce Amaechi when it was his turn to say a few nice words for Arumma. Irukwu described Amaechi correctly as the “high-performing” Governor of Rivers and a “true Igbo son”. But when Amaechi took the mike he “corrected” Irukwu and emphasised: “I am an Ikwerre man!” That really ruffled feathers".

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/chibuike-amaechi-ndi-igbo-and-2023/amp/

On Igbo presidency, this is what Amaechi Rotimi had to say.
In an interview with The Sun, Amaechi said the Igbo has nothing to bring in negotiating for 2023 presidency.

“I don’t know what they will do now for voting against the APC,” he said.


“For refusing to support the APC, they cannot come to the table to demand the presidency slot.

“For people like us in the APC, if the Igbo had come and voted Buhari, they would boldly tell Mr President and the National Chairman of the party that presidency should go the Southeast since the South-south; South-west and North-west have produced president. What argument would the Southeast come up with now to convince anybody that they deserve the slot for 2023 president?”

Pay attention to Amaechi deliberate use of "they" to refer to the Igbo.
No one refers to a group they consider themselves part of with "they".
Interesting to also note that Amaechi doesn't believe that Ndiigbo should ask APC for presidential slot, reason being by his twisted logic that SE despite having a state controlled by APC , didn't give majority of the votes to Buhari during the elections.

IKWERRE IS IGBOID AND YOU KNOW IT

I am an Ikwerre man. I see an Igbo man as a brother. I see myself closer to an Igbo man than to any other than tribe in Nigeria.
Unfortunately an Igbo man doesn't see me as such. He doesn't see me as a brother but of lower cast. I must drop my identity to be considered worthy if anything. He hates me because I have resolutely taken a stand on my identity. Amaechi is married to an Igbo lady. In that ground he could claim igboness. Although I know as a proud Ikwerre man he is there is no other ground to claim Igbo not even appointing his as the president would cause him do so.

majole:


IKWERRE IS IGBOID AND YOU KNOW IT

. Ikwerre is Igboid if you truly understand what that means. They have a lot of similarities with the igbos but not igbos in the true sense of it. On the surface it looks similar but when u get deeper u start to see the obvious differences. A typical Igbo man knows this. They are said to be Igboid because the igbos are more populated than the Ikwerres. Ikwerres have only 4 LGA whereas igbos have 5 states.

Igboid:
Ndiigbo would have committed political suicide if they don't come out now and denounce Amaechi and his cunning Bini Ikwerre people.
These people are not Igbos and have taken enough time to humiliate Ndiigbo and tell the whole world they are not Igbo.
Those Igbos still counting Ikwerre as Igbo are simply being pathetic simps.
This shouldn't be tolerated.

If you are an Igbo and you like Rotimi, then by all means vote for him as you would vote an Ijaw man like GEJ, Yoruba man like OBJ, Fulanis like Yaradua and Atiku.
But never you vote for him under the sentiment that he or Ikwerre people are Igbos or try to pass of his candidature as that Igbo, because they are not.
Never give non Igbos the chance to claim that Amaechi and Ikwerre presidency, is same as Igbo presidency.
Because doing this will be tantamount to self deception and it will take us no where.

I’m one of those who have expressed positive sentiments to Amaechi supposed ambition but your line of argument is compelling and I’m beginning to see the reason why Igbos should demand for true Igbo son to take their slot and not Igbo pretenders.

It’s time I focused more completely on Peter Obi.

chrisxxx:
. Ikwerre is Igboid if you truly understand what that means. They have a lot of similarities with the igbos but not igbos in the true sense of it. On the surface it looks similar but when u get deeper u start to see the obvious differences. A typical Igbo man knows this. They are said to be Igboid because the igbos are more populated than the Ikwerres. Ikwerres have only 4 LGA whereas igbos have 5 states.

And we have echoed it once more , Ikwerre is NOT Igbo. No more no less. Maintain that energy and rhetoric and never you you change your stance....thats all we ask for.

majole:


IKWERRE IS IGBOID AND YOU KNOW IT

More like Ikwerre is "Agwoid". There is no such thing as Igboid.
You are either Igbo or you are not.
Ikwerre is not Igbo.
Simple.

Well, you do make a good case!

I think Amaechi still has a chance to fly on the IGBO ticket. Ogbakor Ikwerre just have to come out and use their own mouth to say they are Igbo, and all the denials in the past were all part of the post-war repositioning…which they regret being a part of. But i can’t see that happening!

Surely, even they must have realised by now the untenable position they’re in given how they’ve denied their Igbo identity for more than 50 years.

IDENNAA:


And we have echoed it once more , Ikwerre is NOT Igbo. No more no less. Maintain that energy and rhetoric and never you you change your stance....thats all we ask for.

Hehehehehe

Idennaa isn’t in the forgiving mood this morning!

IGBOSON1:
Well, you do make a good case!

I think Amaechi still has a chance to fly in the IGBO ticket. Ogbakor Ikwerre just have to come out and use their own mouth to say they are Igbo, and all the denials in the past were all part of the post-war repositioning…which they regret being a part of. But i can’t see that happening!

Which is exactly why Ndiigbo must come out now and denounce Ikwerre and Amaechi once it becomes clearer that he is going to be a dark horse in the presidential race.

The Ikwerre are doing a long con game, Amaechi is part of that game, and they count on folly and emotional driven state of Igbos to stay in business.
We must pull the carpet right under their feet.
If Amaechi must contest, let him do so as an Ikwerre man, Rivers man or South South man he might yet win. But his victory will mean that he is representing SS and his Ikwerre people and not Not Ndiigbo because he isn't one.

Yoruba propaganda.lol
Afonja cowords no need.
Is either ss/se if not let the fulanis rule forever and continue their excellent job of siezing land from the weak,streghnless afonja cowords..
Wow these world sweetoo

Atachee people have come again.
Ikwere is Ikwere not Igbo.
Ewu Biafra

You people keep deceiving yourselves allowing Hausa Fulani juntas divide you and your political interest in order to secure theirs.

Ikwerre is a dialectical section of Igbo.

Anyone saying Ikwere is not Igbo will also say that Asaba, Ika, and opobo people are not Igbo too.

Igbo is bigger than 4 states carved out to spite Igbos after the war so as to weaken their political strength.

Know this and know peace.

Igbo bu Igbo.

Let Amechi win the flagbearer first. Nigerian current politics should not be of interest to any common citizen

Igboid,
Please do me a favor, read this and respond.

Ogbonnaya Onu is an Igboman to the core and has been a very loyal and productive member of CPC, pre-APC days, and remains steadfast with Buhari in APC. He stood with Buhari through series of losses in presidential contests and when others abandoned Buhari's failure to seek glory elsewhere this man stayed put.

What stops Buhari from using consensus to declare Chief Onu his successor?

Stop wasting spit on a bastard Igbo, focus on a true son of the soil and make noise with your people to bring Onu out into eligibility.

MetaPhysical:
Igboid,
Please do me a favor, read this and respond.

Ogbonnaya Onu is an Igboman to the core and has been a very loyal and productive member of CPC, pre-APC days, and remains steadfast with Buhari in APC. He stood with Buhari through series of losses in presidential contests and when others abandoned Buhari's failure to seek glory elsewhere this man stayed put.

What stops Buhari from using consensus to declare Chief Onu his successor?

Stop wasting spit on a bastard Igbo, focus on a true son of the soil and make noise with your people to bring Onu out into eligibility.

Ogbonnaya Onu has to show interest to contest before Buhari loyalty can be tested.
Moreover, Politics is all about money.
Onu has no money to rival a former governor of a state like Rivers who probably looted and have a healthy stash of funds stored somewhere that could fund a presidential election.
Patry delegates are only swayed by money.


I think Umahi should be Igbo best choice in APC.
He has the money to finance a presidential election.

SweetiliciousD:
You people keep deceiving yourselves allowing Hausa Fulani juntas divide you and your political interest in order to secure theirs.

Ikwerre is a dialectical section of Igbo.

Anyone saying Ikwere is not Igbo will also say that Asaba, Ika, and opobo people are not Igbo too.

Igbo is bigger than 4 states carved out to spite Igbos after the war so as to weaken their political strength.

Know this and know peace.

Igbo bu Igbo.

Ikwerre is not Igbo.
Stop deceiving yourself.
Ikwerre have made it obvious that they are not Igbo.
They have always taken any available opportunity to cajole and dehumanize Ndiigbo before other Nigerians.
No body is responsible for Ikwerre Igbophobic disposition but Ikwerre themselves.

Stop being a simp. You type is the type a woman will use and play and you will be making up silly excuses for her.
Wake up.

Igbo is big already. Addition or substraction of 3.5 LGA Ikwerre will not add or remove to Ndiigbo.

We are discussing about Ikwerre for now.
When it's the day for others, we will do that as well.

gidgiddy:


The Presidency is not about ethnic group, it is about geopolitical zone. Any day the Presidency becomes about Presidency then the 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria will also come out for it.

It does matter what ethnic group Amaechi belongs to, if he runs, he will be running as someone from the South/South

Well I will take the last part of your statement but the south south have had their turn , now it is the turn of the easterners( Igbos) and amaechi is not one of them . Nobody shud under estimate any part of the country , the dynamics are changing fast .

SweetiliciousD:
You people keep deceiving yourselves allowing Hausa Fulani juntas divide you and your political interest in order to secure theirs.

Ikwerre is a dialectical section of Igbo.

Anyone saying Ikwere is not Igbo will also say that Asaba, Ika, and opobo people are not Igbo too.

Igbo is bigger than 4 states carved out to spite Igbos after the war so as to weaken their political strength.

Know this and know peace.

Igbo bu Igbo.

Pure horse poop, ikwerre is ikwerre and not Igbo simple and short , we are neibours and we will live in peace but to allow an ikwerre man to take the place of the igbo is not allowed here , I can’t even allow my sisters to marry an ikwerre man because of the virulent hatred these ppl have for we igbos