I see Nigeria’s light come shining in 2027 with President Bola Tinubu wearing the garb of a true Statesman, determined to bring the much desired change that will permanently bring the Civil War which began in 1967, to a deserved end. Tinubu’s way to the top may still be a subject of scrutiny but what we cannot take away from the Jagaban is that he has taken some bold steps.

Those who accuse him of empowering the Yoruba must also blame late president Muhammadu Buhari for elevating the Fulani beyond measure. The Igbo have neither had a Buhari nor a Tinubu. Those who expect them to keep quiet, apparently do not understand the Igbo spirit. It is easier for Lucifer to be born again than for the Igbo to be crushed eternally. The more the Igbo remain on the ground, the more Nigeria will continue to be in motion without movement. It is a colossal shame that Nigeria continues to import oil in 2025, leaving four, billion – dollar refineries moribund. During the Civil War, Biafra built two refineries in less than six months.

The money wasted on Turn Around Maintenance by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is enough to build modest homes for the entire population. Nearly all states in Nigeria are building political airports. The international airports are nowhere near global standards. Billions of dollars go into some of these white elephant projects. And most of the earnings are moved overseas because the contractors are expatriates. The same Biafra built three airports during the war. The Uli Airport, codenamed Annabelle, was at a time, one of the busiest in Africa.

The Biafrans who advanced technology did not all die during the war. Clement Onyemelukwe, the Father of Electricity in Nigeria, Felix Oragwu, Gordian Ezekwe, Willy Achukwu, Frank Mbanefo, Benjamin Nwosu, James Ezeilo, Roy Umenyi and Agu Ogan were available. When the Administrator of East Central State, Ajie Ukpabi Asika brought them together for the benefit of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through some top bureaucrats and military officers made sure Technology did not survive in Nigeria. That is why we are still in the Stone Age while South Korea and Taiwan are moving up.

The same blood that produced the Biafran Scientists is still flowing among the Igbo in Nigeria. What tears my insides out is this idea of blaming the Igbo for all sins committed in the First Republic and using that wicked lie to gang up against them. A country that produced Dr. Ngozi Okonkwo – Iweala, the first African Director – General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the first woman ever to rise to that position should not be struggling with leadership. Nkemdilim Izuaka is Solomon Island’s first female high court judge. Dr. Chile Eboe – Osuji, the first Nigerian judge of the International Court of Justice (ICC) became the first African to head that global body, in 2018. Justice Charles Dadi Umeha Onyeama was the first Nigerian at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

That elevation came in 1967. He was replaced by Dr. Taslim Olawale Elias, in 1976. Chief Emeka Anyaoku remains the first African Secretary General of the Commonwealth. Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi was the first Sub Saharan African to command United Nations Forces. Lt. Gen. Chikadibia Obiakor was the first to be appointed UN Assistant Secretary General, Military Affairs. Edward James Roye, the fifth president of Liberia, was Igbo. He also served as Chief Justice of the country and was Speaker of the Parliament. Christopher Okoro Cole presided over Sierra Leone. He was also Governor General after serving as Chief Justice. Indeed the world, and all of us should be worried that the Igbo have been relegated to the rear of Nigerian leadership.

All Geo – Political Zones but the South East occupy plum positions in the Federal Government, from President to Secretary to the Government of the Federation. All blame should be on Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. On December 31, 1983, he initiated the process of Igbo Presidential Marginalisation with a military coup. Although he claimed to have been given the job of Head of State by subordinate officers, his mission was clear – stop Vice President Alex Ekwueme from succeeding President Shehu Shagari in 1987. It was easy to read Buhari. His initial Supreme Military Council had no Igbo military officer.

Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe’s inclusion was an after thought. While Shagari was placed under house arrest, Ekwueme was sent put in maximum detention. When the same Buhari returned as civilian president in 2015, he did not hide his disdain for the Igbo. He described the South – East as a dot of five percent supporters and made sure that part of the country remained marginalised all through his inglorious eight years in office. Buhari would not have lived in Aso Villa if Tinubu did not enable his return. The same Tinubu who brought Buhari, the Tormentor can also turn to a Liberator, for good. History will always be kind to statesmen. Tyrants continue to wallow in the dustbin.

I admire Tinubu as a man with an ear to the ground, one who understands Nigerian politics more than anyone else. I awarded him the title, Governor General of Nigerian politics. My advise now is that he should prepare a way for the South – East to stroll into the Presidency in 2027. It is doable. In 1999, the Yoruba had an easy ride to Aso Villa. It was not done by Nigerians. The twin Generals of Minna made it possible. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has providence to thank for sitting on top. Those two moves did the nation a whole world of good. Time is ripe to change the narrative. The Civil War must come to an end officially in 2027. Tinubu will become a true leader, a great man, by lifting History higher. After four years, the best way to enter the Book of Books is to walk away honourably in 2027.