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By Chinelo Obogo
Former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, on Wednesday hosted Senator Orji Kalu and Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, at his country home in Enugu, where the leaders held discussions on the position of the Igbo in Nigeria’s politics.
The meeting focused on the need for the South-East to strengthen internal unity and play a more central role in the nation’s polity. Speaking after the visit, Nwobodo said the engagement was driven by the desire to end ambiguity surrounding the place of the Igbo in national affairs. He stressed that the region could no longer afford to be taken for granted.
“These are two very important Igbo men. They came to pay me a yuletide visit, and we also wanted to know the position of the Igbo in the scheme of things in this nation. We don’t want anybody to deceive us or pretend that everything is okay. We want to know what Nigeria has for the Igbo, and this time around, we will get it.”
The elder statesman warned against symbolic or cosmetic inclusion, insisting that the Igbo must have a clearly defined and respected place in the country’s power structure. Nwobodo disclosed that consultations were ongoing among key stakeholders, calling for a meeting of serving and former governors from the South-East to collectively decide on the political direction of the region.
“We don’t want any photographic information. We want to know where the Igbo stand. We cannot be taken for granted for so long. Let the present and former governors of the Igbo nation meet and take a decision. Others can meet and decide anything, but let our own governors meet and make a decision. We’ll definitely have a position for the Igbo.”
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Former Abia State governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, said the discussions centred on ensuring that the Igbo remain relevant and strategically positioned in Nigeria’s political space.
“We’re discussing the position of the Igbo in the polity of Nigeria and how it will be good for all of us. It is the desire of the Igbo to be in the centre of affairs. We’ve no alternative than to be in the centre. It’s not an option; it’s a requirement,” he said.
Governor Mbah, on his part, emphasised the need for unity and warned that internal divisions could weaken the region’s influence at the national level. He described the talks as part of an evolving process aimed at fostering cohesion and strategic engagement.
“As people of Igbo extraction, we must not do anything that would create division. There is a need for us not to be fragmented. The discussions we have had are evolving, and they will come to light in the days ahead. Nigeria started on a tripod, and the Igbo are one of the legs of that tripod. It is extremely important that we continue to play a very critical role in our polity,” he said.
Mbah said the visit also served as an opportunity to pay homage to Nwobodo, whom he described as an elder statesman who had distinguished himself in the service of Nigeria. The meeting is viewed as part of renewed efforts by South-East leaders to forge a united front and reposition the Igbo more effectively in Nigeria’s political equation.
