Ndigbo Are Not for Sale: Rejecting Self-Appointed Leadership and Political Intimidation

By Sam Udenna

Some Igbo politicians must stop arrogating to themselves the right to speak for or make declarations on behalf of Ndigbo without a legitimate mandate from the people.

 Fighting to retain a political position or secure a job does not confer the authority to become the voice or self-appointed leader of an entire ethnic nationality.

A politician fighting to retain his political position or secure his job should not suddenly appoint himself as the voice, leader, or spokesperson of an entire people. No individual politician has the authority to impose himself on Ndigbo as their king, lion, or unquestionable leader.

Ndigbo are historically republican in outlook. We value individual freedom, independent thinking, consultation, and collective decision-making. We do not subscribe to the idea that one person should dictate to millions of people what they must think or do.

We should also ask ourselves why this kind of political posturing is rarely tolerated among other major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Elected political officeholders represent their constituencies and perform their constitutional responsibilities; they do not automatically become leaders of an entire geopolitical zone or ethnic nationality.

Ndigbo must learn to distinguish between political leadership and the collective voice of our people. Our diversity of opinion should be a source of strength, not an excuse for unnecessary quarrels, intimidation, division, or political blackmail.

To our politicians, remember that political positions are temporary. Your ambition and political survival should never be placed above the dignity, unity, and collective interests of Ndigbo. Many of your children enjoy opportunities and security outside Nigeria. The consequences of political instability and insecurity, however, are borne disproportionately by ordinary citizens back home.

Enough of the intimidation, needless political supremacy contests, and self-appointed leadership. Ndigbo deserve consultation, respect, unity, and leadership that genuinely represents their collective interests—not individuals who seek to speak for everyone without their consent.