Our Reporter, Abuja
Former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has advised Ndigbo to forge stronger political alliances across the country as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
Speaking on topic, “Party Platforms and the South-East Agenda in 2027,” at the August edition of the Ikenga Town Hall on Thursday, Okechukwu, who described himself as belonging to the “Zikist spectrum,” argued that the progress of the South-East is tied to Nigeria’s prosperity.
“I believe in a pan-Nigerian nation where every citizen can prosper. If Nigeria prospers, the Igbos will prosper, because we are hardworking, industrious, and live in every nook and cranny of this country,” he said.
Okechukwu urged the South-East to avoid concentrating its political support on a single party, recalling how the region overwhelmingly backed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for years, and more recently, the Labour Party, often leaving it without strategic leverage in ruling coalitions.
“In liberal democracy, you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. All we asked for in the past was at least 25 percent of Igbo votes to strengthen our bargaining power at the national level. Unfortunately, the region consistently chose one direction, leaving us politically vulnerable,” he lamented.
The former VON DG drew lessons from history and global experiences, citing Catalonia’s economic success within Spain and the Jewish community’s resilience after World War II. He also referenced Japan’s reconciliation with the United States after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings as an example of how forgiveness and pragmatism can lead to prosperity.
According to him, Igbos must learn to “invest at home, avoid flaunting wealth that breeds resentment, and build cross-regional friendships.”
He stressed that such strategies would not only reduce hostility against them but also secure their relevance in Nigeria’s political future.
“Let us forgive, though not forget, the past. Politics is about strategy, not animosity. The more alliances we build, the better for us,” he added.
