Chekwas Okorie: Igbo Must Unite to Reclaim Political Relevance in Nigeria

Founder and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has expressed concern over what he described as the lack of unity and cohesion among the Igbo, warning that it has left the region vulnerable to ridicule, disrespect, and political marginalisation.

Speaking at the Igbo Agenda Dialogue in Abuja on Wednesday, Okorie noted that while other regions have consolidated power and influence in Nigeria’s political and economic space, the Igbo have continued to lag behind due to disunity. He recalled with regret the derogatory description of the Igbo as a “dot in a circle” by a former president, stressing that in reality, no other ethnic group in Nigeria has greater access to the sea than the Igbo.

Okorie drew on historical references, citing late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s warning after the civil war that any race which lost its self-esteem after defeat would require decades of focused leadership to recover. He lamented that decades after the Biafra war, some Igbo leaders still exhibit sycophancy and even deny their identity in a bid to curry favour with those in power. According to him, the Igbo, who constitute a significant voting bloc across the country, can no longer afford to remain divided if they truly desire to reclaim their rightful place in Nigeria.

The former APGA chairman urged Ndigbo to learn from past political alliances that produced notable positions for their people, such as Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s vice presidency and Chief Edwin Umezuoke’s speakership in the Second Republic. He insisted that with their numerical strength, geographical spread, and human resources, the Igbo can reposition themselves as a formidable force in Nigerian politics. “God has already blessed us,” Okorie said. “It is now left for us to unite, redeem our dignity, and take our rightful place in the affairs of this nation.”