Igbo Leaders Chart Course for National Repositioning, Unveil Political Agenda 

The political trajectory of the Igbo nation, prominent leaders and stakeholders of Igbo extraction convened in Abuja yesterday for the inaugural session of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD).

The gathering, which took place at Chelsea Hotel, was convened by veteran political leader Chief Chekwas Okorie and drew a cross-section of politicians, professionals, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and members of the business community.

At the end of the meeting, participants issued a strongly worded communiqué that set out a strategic vision for political unity, mobilisation, and constructive engagement within Nigeria’s democratic space.

Chief Okorie, in his welcome address, declared that the Igbo could no longer afford to operate without a binding, collective political agenda. His remarks, which were unanimously adopted by the assembly, were hailed as the opening of what participants called “a new chapter in Igbo political reawakening.”

The communiqué clarified that the IAD is not intended as a rival to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural body of the Igbo. Instead, it is designed as a complementary platform to sharpen political strategy and build consensus across divides.

A key resolution of the Dialogue was the decision to convene a landmark Igbo Political Summit in Enugu in the coming months. According to the communiqué, the summit will serve as the crucible for forging a collective agenda that would cut across partisan, generational, and geographical boundaries.

The planned summit will feature broad representation, including political parties, trade unions, market and professional associations, religious leaders, women’s and youth groups, as well as delegates from the Igbo diaspora. Also expected are representatives from Igbo-speaking communities in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Kogi states.

Stakeholders emphasised that the time had come for Ndigbo to move beyond fragmentation and marginalisation by presenting a united front in national affairs, particularly as the country navigates post-2023 governance realities and looks ahead to future elections.

“This is about repositioning our people, not in isolation, but as constructive partners in Nigeria’s nation-building project,” one of the participants noted.

With the IAD now inaugurated, organisers say attention will shift to mobilisation and consultation at the grassroots level in preparation for the Enugu summit.

Observers believe the initiative could mark a turning point in the pursuit of Igbo political aspirations, provided it garners sustained commitment and avoids the pitfalls of past efforts.