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Is the Southeast Prepared to Wrestle the Nigerian Presidency in 2023?

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5 years ago

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“Fortunately or not, democracy dictates that electorates must select from those that have presented themselves to govern.” ―Ebuka Onyekwelu

With just a few months left before the 2023 presidential election takes the centre stage, the Southeast is yet to boldly move towards securing the tickets of major political parties in Nigeria. By the Southeast, I am talking about Igbo political leaders who are members of these parties and who have the precise capacity to match candidates from other regions who are already traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria courageously asking for people’s support ahead of 2023. With the exception of Prof. Kingsley Moghalu of ADC likely to become Nigeria’s third force, there has not been any seriousness by those interested in running for the highest office in Nigeria from the Southeast, to own the project.

In the APC for instance, the likes of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Sen. Chris Ngige, Sen. Ken Nnamani, and many others, none of them has shown as much courage or seriousness through their outreach and consultation for the big job. They all seem not to be sure, so basically hiding behind the scene and while still claiming to be running for the presidency; perhaps bidding time. In the PDP, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, Sen. Pius Anyim, and others have expressed intentions to contest. Yet, there have not been formidable engagements from them towards the project, which can favourably compete with what their counterparts in other parts of the country are doing. Peter Obi to the disappointment of many is hiding under some cover, like he is not interested and he is one of the best hands for this project for Ndi Igbo, in PDP.

Looking at what is currently happening in the PDP and APC as far as the demand for Igbo presidency is concerned, one sees that the likes of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and Sen. Rochas Okorocha who are better positioned in national politics for consensus around Igbo presidency project, do not enjoy favourable rating at home. But then, Peter Obi and his likes, for instance, who have massive political capital at home are nowhere to be seen. Instead, Sen. Ohuabunwa who is barely known across ranks in the Southeast is the one boldly carrying this project for the Southeast, in Peter Obi’s party. There is definitely something incredibly ridiculous when a people are left for its political interest to be defended by those that cannot match the quality of individuals others are filling or that are filling themselves to represent their own region or people group. Fortunately or not, democracy dictates that electorates must select from those that have presented themselves to govern.

Southeast political players have continued to rely on the fact that in Southern Nigeria, it is only Southeast that is yet to take a short at the presidency. But in politics, no one listens to this kind of tale except statesmen. Politicians go to their trenches, canvas, and consult to acquire state power. While the Southeast has a case in equity, politics, and acquisition of political power cares less about who has not had a short because nobody has said that you should not try to have a short. But then, it may appear as if this is the best opportunity for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction. Yet, even the opportunity means nothing if Igbo national political players are not prepared to take full advantage of it. Already, there seems to be a consensus on the propriety of an Igbo man becoming the next president of Nigeria, ironically, those expected to fly the flag from the two major political parties have not shown or demonstrated any commitment towards taking advantage of the season. Perhaps, relying almost exclusively on the assumption that it will be “given” to them, but a gift like power is never given because everybody wants it just as much or as badly as anyone else.

In fact, if they continue in this direction, then, realizing Nigeria’s president of Igbo origin will again become a mere mirage.

Dr. Bukola Saraki a former governor of Kwara state and a former president of the senate has just declared his intention to run for president on the platform of PDP. The advantage is that those who have come out openly and made their intentions known will have an advantage in the contest except there is a consensus later. So what Igbo politicians in the APC and PDP are doing, is clearly not in the political interest of Ndi Igbo. In fact, if they continue in this direction, then, realizing Nigeria’s president of Igbo origin will again become a mere mirage.

At this stage, we are still not clear who is running. So there is no consensus of support in the Southeast just yet. However, with what is happening, key players from the Southeast and across the country will align with different contenders that fit their fancy and this only cast unimaginable aspersion on the Igbo presidency project. As of now, with what reality we have on the ground, the only clear option for realizing Igbo presidency is through Prof. Moghalu’s ADC because, he is out and has declared his intentions as well as prepared for the job, and he also enjoys credible national perception. The only challenge is if his ADC can stand the big two in any national political contest. This is a major problem confronting the ADC and its likely presidential candidate, Prof. Kinsley Moghalu. The import of this is that even with Prof. Kingsley Moghalu as the only presidential candidate of Igbo extraction, candidates of other regions if presented to Nigerian voters on PDP and APC platforms, will be preferred over a quality candidate of a lesser political party.

This pattern of political behavior will take years of enlightenment and steady improvement in the level of civic consciousness of the populace, to be truncated. Worst still, Igbo voters and politicians will be far more eager to align and support candidates of other political parties than supporting their own who is running on the platform of a smaller party. But the option before Ndi Igbo is crystal clear; pursue with both hands, the tickets of the two major political parties to secure them. Or align and produce a president in the person of Prof. Kinsley Moghalu on the platform of ADC. In fact, Igbo political leaders can as well create or adapt their own platform if there is no space for them and then build their own platform as a tool for their own national political ambition. Although the last option may not secure the required result in 2023, at least, a date would be fixed on the ambition, and with the right efforts, it will be realized perhaps, after 2023.

What is unfortunate is the current lukewarm approach and the not-too-sure, unserious pursuit of this ambition. It is almost certain that Ndi Igbo will miss it again with this approach, except certain people are patriotic enough to bury their ambitions and reach for a consensus candidate of Igbo origin in APC or PDP. The depth is this kind of personal sacrifice is extremely high because if Tinubu sacrifices his presidential ambition for 2023, he most likely will never run for president again. Besides, he has the momentum now. So in all, it is a huge sacrifice of which is doubtful if any politician that understands his mettle will make. Then again, if Atiku steps down and supports, for instance, Peter Obi as a consensus candidate of the PDP, he may not contest again, and this is not only his likely last chance but also his likely best chance to win. And so the price is too high for any politician to pay. That is why it is un-political to play by the sidelines hoping that there will be a consensus because people already agree that it is only an Igbo man that has not been president since 1999.

Igbo leaders, political and otherwise, must articulate and strategically pursue Igbo interests in the 2023 presidential election. They can as well begin the process of producing an Igbo Nigerian president in 2027 or even 2031. This is better than leaving a people’s political future to chance.

♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, strategic governance exponent,  is a columnist with the WAP

 

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Houston

Membership Interest Soars After Sugar Land People’s Club’s Successful Induction

Published

6 days ago

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September 8, 2026

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Branch considers annual induction as August celebration of prestige, culture and comradeship inspires growing community interest

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Membership requests to the Sugar Land Branch of People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI) have risen significantly following its successful August induction ceremony, prompting the organization to consider making the event an annual affair.

Group Chairman, Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, confirmed the surge in interest, saying the branch has received numerous inquiries from prospective members since the ceremony that formally admitted 16 new members to the organization.

“The response since the induction has been remarkable. We have seen a significant increase in people asking about membership and how they can become part of the People’s Club family,” Ulasi said. “Many of them attended the event or heard about it afterward and were impressed by the fellowship, dignity, cultural pride, and genuine comradeship they witnessed.”

Ulasi said the development, including a possible change from the current bi-annual induction arrangement to an annual ceremony, would be discussed at the branch’s September general meeting.

The renewed interest in membership comes on the heels of an elaborate induction that attracted national officers, patrons, branch chairmen, members, and guests from across the People’s Club family.

National President, Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, who presided over the swearing-in of the 16 inductees, described the event as a total success and commended the Sugar Land Branch, PCNI’s First International Branch, for what he called an exceptional celebration of fellowship, culture, service, and unity.

During the formal ceremony, each inductee was invited to the podium to take the membership oath and receive a certificate from the national president, who was assisted by PCNI Attorney Chukwuka John Ukadike.

Beyond the admission of new members, however, the event offered guests a public display of the traditions that have historically defined the People’s Club: prestige, love, service, and comradeship. Those characteristics were reflected throughout the ceremony, from the reception of national officers and interaction among members to the formal induction, cultural presentation, and extended social celebration that followed.

Grand Patron, Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu, said the growing interest in membership was an indication that the organization’s values resonated with guests who experienced the event.

“What people witnessed was the character of People’s Club—the love among members, respect for one another, willingness to serve, and the comradeship that brings us together,” Mbachu said. “Prestige is not simply about appearance; it is about how we conduct ourselves and how we treat people. When the community sees those values demonstrated, it is understandable that others would want to become part of the organization.”

The cultural presentation was among the most visible features of the evening. Women members and associates appeared in coordinated traditional attire featuring red-pinkish blouses with matching head ties and white wrappers bearing the PCNI logo. The men wore all-white outfits complemented by customized PCNI cap pins and distinctive PCNI sashes worn as neckpieces.

The coordinated appearance created a colorful expression of Nigerian cultural identity while reinforcing the sense of unity that characterized the gathering.

As the formal program concluded, the ceremony transitioned into an extended social celebration. Members, inductees, and guests shared food and drinks before taking to the dance floor, with music and festivities continuing into the early hours of Sunday.

The presence of members and officials from different branches also gave the ceremony broader significance for Sugar Land, whose status as the First International Branch places it prominently in PCNI’s history outside Nigeria.

For Ulasi, however, the strongest indication of the event’s impact came afterward, as inquiries from prospective members continued to reach the branch.

He said that while the organization welcomes the increased interest, prospective members would be expected to understand the responsibilities and traditions associated with belonging to the People’s Club. “Membership is about much more than attending social events,” Ulasi said. “It is about service, friendship, responsibility, and commitment to one another. Those are the values we intend to preserve as the branch continues to grow.”

The September meeting is expected to consider how the branch will respond to increased membership interest and whether the success of the August ceremony provides sufficient grounds to move to an annual induction schedule. For the Sugar Land Branch, the aftermath of the August induction may prove as significant as the ceremony itself: 16 members entered the People’s Club that evening, but the celebration appears to have inspired many more to seek a place within its ranks.

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Houston

People’s Club Sugar Land Celebrates Landmark Induction of 16 New Members

Published

3 weeks ago

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August 24, 2026

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National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke hails First International Branch for a spectacular celebration of culture, fellowship and service

HOUSTON, TEXAS — The Sugar Land People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI), the organization’s First International Branch, has been declared a total success following a spectacular bi-annual induction ceremony that brought together national leaders, branch chairmen, patrons, members, and guests from across the People’s Club family.

National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, commended the Houston branch for delivering an outstanding event that reflected the organization’s enduring traditions of friendship, fellowship, service, and community.

Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, SLPCNI Chairman, leads the grand entrance of the national leadership during the induction ceremony, followed by National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke and his wife.

“The Houston branch has once again demonstrated what People’s Club represents at its very best. This was a beautifully organized and highly successful event, rich in culture, fellowship, dignity, and unity. I commend the leadership, members, and entire Houston family for an exceptional celebration worthy of the First International Branch.”

The ceremony witnessed the formal swearing-in of 16 new members, each of whom was individually invited forward to receive a certificate of membership from the national president. Onyebueke was assisted in administering the oath by PCNI Attorney Chukwuka John Ukadike.

Group Photo: Women Members and Associates of SLPCNI

The inductees joined an impressive gathering that reflected the diversity and strength of the People’s Club community. Members and guests traveled from various branches across the United States and beyond, transforming the Houston ceremony into a truly international gathering.

The cultural elegance of the occasion was equally striking. Women appeared in colorful, coordinated traditional attire, featuring red-pinkish blouses and matching head ties paired with white wrappers prominently designed with the PCNI logo. The ensemble created a distinctive and dignified traditional look. Men complemented the occasion with elegant all-white outfits, customized PCNI cap pins, and special PCNI sashes worn as neckpieces.

Among those in attendance were Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu; Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, Group Chairman; patrons and chairmen from various branches, and People’s Club members representing chapters across the globe.

The formal proceedings eventually gave way to an extended celebration of friendship and camaraderie. Food, drinks, music, and dancing carried the festivities well beyond the scheduled program, continuing for hours into the early morning of Sunday.

For the Houston branch, the celebration represented more than the admission of new members. It reaffirmed the historic importance of the First International Branch and demonstrated the continuing strength of People’s Club as a transnational fellowship rooted in Nigerian identity, friendship, service, and mutual support.

The successful ceremony also underscored the organization’s ability to bring generations and branches together while preserving the cultural traditions that have sustained its membership across continents.

By the end of the celebration, Houston had delivered more than an induction. It had delivered a memorable demonstration of unity, culture, friendship, and organizational excellence—an event that fully embodied the People’s Club spirit.

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Houston

Houston Ready as People’s Club National President Arrives for Historic Sugar Land Branch Induction

Published

4 weeks ago

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August 20, 2026

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Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke’s arrival signals final preparations for the August 22 ceremony as the First International Branch prepares to welcome 17 new members into the People’s Club family

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Final preparations are underway in Houston as the Sugar Land People’s Club of Nigeria International (SPCNI), the First International Branch, puts the finishing touches on what promises to be a landmark evening of fellowship, leadership, and community celebration.

The arrival of Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, National President of the People’s Club of Nigeria International, has added renewed excitement to the event, underscoring the significance of the Sugar Land branch and its place within the wider People’s Club family.

Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu addresses Sugar Land PCNI’s August Conference. Insert: Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, National President of the People’s Club of Nigeria International.

The organization will hold its 2026 Bi-Annual Induction Ceremony on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall, 8250 Creekbend Drive, Houston, Texas.

Seventeen distinguished men and women are expected to be formally inducted into the organization during the ceremony. The event is expected to bring together People’s Club members, community leaders, professionals, families, friends, and guests from Houston and beyond for an evening celebrating friendship, cultural identity, service, and community.

The arrival of Atty. Onyebueke is particularly significant because the Sugar Land organization is recognized as the First International Branch of People’s Club of Nigeria International.

Group photo during PCNI’s August Conference.

While People’s Club has grown into a broad network with branches in Nigeria, North America, and Europe, the Sugar Land branch occupies a unique place in that expansion. It represents the first international extension of the organization and continues to regard itself as a custodian of the principles established by the founders of People’s Club in Nigeria.

For the branch’s leadership, that history carries both pride and responsibility. Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu said that the national leadership’s presence in Houston reinforces the importance of the occasion and the values the organization represents.

“This is more than an induction ceremony; it is a celebration of continuity, friendship, love, and service. The arrival of our National President makes this occasion even more meaningful because it connects our First International Branch directly with the larger People’s Club family. We are welcoming new members into a legacy that must be protected, strengthened, and passed forward.”

Mbachu said the organization’s enduring values remain relevant because they are rooted in the fundamental needs of society: friendship, mutual respect, fellowship, responsibility, and service.

 

From left: Inductee, Hon. Evangelist Philomena Umoh, Chief Executive Officer of BlessedComfort Home; New member, Hon. Shanteria Onyemem, Houston-based entrepreneur.

Among the seventeen inductees is Evangelist Philomena Umoh, Chief Executive Officer of BlessedComfort Home, a philanthropist and titled chief whose work and personal commitment to helping others have touched numerous lives. For Umoh, the forthcoming induction represents both a personal honor and an opportunity to join a community whose values closely align with her commitment to service.

“I am deeply honored and genuinely excited to become part of the People’s Club family. For me, this is not simply about receiving a title or joining a social organization. It is about belonging to a community that values friendship, service, love, compassion, and giving back. I look forward to contributing meaningfully and building lasting relationships.” Her induction adds another dimension to an occasion already defined by diversity of professional experience, community involvement, and public service.

From Left: Hon. Ike Nwokoye; Hon. Prof. Emmanuel Opara; Hon. Basil Mbuba; and Hon. Udoji Achebe.

 

Left: Hon. Sir Charles Eloka Ikebuaku, wife, and Hon. Dr. Chris Ulasi.

Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, the Group’s Chairman, said that the ceremony will represent an important moment for both the inductees and the organization. Ulasi said the branch is prepared to receive its new members and celebrate the enduring relationships that have sustained the organization.

“Everything is coming together for what we expect to be a memorable evening. We are excited to welcome our National President and our distinguished inductees. This ceremony is about strengthening the bonds that make our organization a true family.”

The chairman emphasized that membership is not merely ceremonial. According to him, those joining the organization become part of an established fellowship with expectations to participate, contribute, and help strengthen the community.

The August 22 event is expected to combine the formal traditions of induction with the warmth and conviviality for which the Sugar Land branch is known. For an organization rooted in Nigerian cultural traditions but operating in one of America’s most diverse metropolitan areas, the ceremony also represents the continuing evolution of the Nigerian-American community in Houston.

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