There Is No Tribe As Politically Marginalized, Disenfranchised In Nigeria Like The Igbos -Senator Abaribe

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District, has expressed concern over the marginalization and disenfranchisement of Igbos in Nigeria.

Abaribe made the statement during the public presentation of a book titled “The Power of Nothing: Triumph And Trump Of People’s Voice In Enugu”, written by Ikem Okuhu, in Abuja on Saturday. Abaribe lamented that the political environment in Nigeria is imbalanced, particularly with regards to the allocation of only five states to the South-East, calling it unfair and highlighting the political neglect faced by the Igbo people.

Speaking on the challenges facing the Igbos, Abaribe emphasized the Igbos’ commitment to progress, patriotism, and nationalism. He pointed out the Igbo tradition of migration and economic empowerment, citing how an Igbo person would leave their community to establish businesses in other parts of Nigeria, such as Bauchi, demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to national development. “That in itself, for me, is nationalism, patriotism, and progressivism,” he said.

However, Abaribe acknowledged that despite these positive contributions, the Igbos remain the most disenfranchised and marginalized ethnic group in Nigeria. He urged his fellow Igbos to continue supporting each other, stressing the importance of unity within the community.

In addition to discussing the state of Igbos in the country, Abaribe spoke about the significance of the book written by Okuhu, which chronicles the events surrounding the 2023 gubernatorial election in Enugu State. Abaribe argued that the book would serve as a critical tool for legislators to develop better laws and reforms that can help perfect the nation’s electoral system. He emphasized that recognizing and understanding Nigeria’s political challenges is essential for finding solutions to them, stating, “It’s only when the nation identifies its problem and the conundrum of the political system that it can then begin to identify the clinical solutions of how those problems can be tackled.”

Abaribe also touched on broader national issues, such as the recent discussions about tax reform and the impact of political decisions on the lives of Nigerians. He referenced President Bola Tinubu’s controversial announcement about the removal of fuel subsidies, which quickly led to economic challenges for the country. He stressed that Nigerians must pay closer attention to political developments, as the outcomes affect every aspect of their lives. “If the bill is passed, that means every activity that relates to your business will be affected. So when you say you’re not interested in politics, you’re doing yourself and your family a great disservice,” he said.

Regarding the electoral system, Abaribe noted that politicians must learn from past mistakes to ensure that future elections are more credible. He pointed out the importance of recognizing those who breached agreements and understanding the power dynamics that influence political alliances. “This book here will help us to identify those signs, to identify those traits and also to be cautious to know those whom we align with,” he remarked.

Ikem Okuhu, the author of the book, explained his motivation for writing it, which was to address some of the irregularities he observed during the 2023 elections. He claimed that despite the widespread support for certain candidates, the election results did not reflect the people’s will. “The truth is that the Labour Party won that election in Enugu State, there’s no denying it,” Okuhu said. He detailed how the election results appeared to be manipulated, citing discrepancies in the documentation of votes and the suspicious uniformity of certain polling records.

Okuhu’s assertion that the majority of people voted in one direction, but the outcome went the other way, speaks to broader concerns about election integrity in Nigeria. He emphasized the need to document and preserve these events for future generations, ensuring that the truth is known and that such anomalies do not repeat in future elections.

The book presentation was attended by several dignitaries, including Senator Okey Ezea of Enugu North, Representative Mark Chidi Obetta of Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, and Labour Party’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Chijioke Edega, among others. The event served as both a reflection on the past electoral process and a call to action for a more transparent and just political system in Nigeria.