The Igbo man is bearing the burden of Nigeria more than any other ethnic group.

[Abraham Madu]

The Igbo man is bearing the burden of Nigeria more than any other ethnic group. Many people keep saying that the Igbo people of Southeast Nigeria are not building political bridges or connecting to the so-called “mainstream” of Nigeria. But honestly, I see that claim as emotional blackmail.

If there is any group in Nigeria that has built bridges across the country, it is the Igbo. There is hardly any state in Nigeria where you will not find an Igbo man or woman living peacefully, running businesses, contributing to the local economy, and participating in the development of that community.

✅Wherever the Igbo go, they build commercial bridges, social bridges, and even political relationships. We even intermarry and bear names of other ethnic groups.

✅ The Igbo man will build a church empire anywhere but still will be denied of its leadership and yet he doesn’t stop financial support. In fact without the Igbo most churches will diminish.

✅The Igbo do not move around destroying communities or terrorizing people. Instead, they create opportunities, markets, and connections that benefit everyone.

So when people claim that the Igbo are not part of the Nigerian mainstream, we need to ask a simple question: What exactly do they mean by “mainstream”?

Let us look at political reality. When Rochas Okorocha was governor of Imo State, he left All Progressives Grand Alliance and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, which many people describe as the mainstream party. What major transformation did that move bring to Ndi Igbo?

Today, several governors from the Southeast are aligned with the same ruling party. The governors of Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi states are all in the APC, while Abia took a different path. If joining the so-called mainstream was the ultimate solution, what concrete advantage has it delivered to the region?

Now look at the case of Alex Otti of Abia State, who belongs to the Labour Party. Despite political pressure and challenges, and direct affront from APC politicians, many people acknowledge the visible efforts being made in governance and development in the state.

This shows something important: being in the “mainstream” party does not automatically translate into progress for the people.

The truth is simple. The Igbo are already part of Nigeria’s mainstream through enterprise, hard work, and peaceful coexistence.

✅The real issue is that the Igbo are not part of the mainstream of oppression, violence, or the manipulation of the masses.

Instead, the Igbo continue to push for a Nigeria where justice, fairness, and peace will prevail for everyone. And that, in itself, is a bridge worth building. By Chinemerem Uche

Ntị ọdị kwa?

Ya kpọtụba!

Ya gazie.

Ụmụ nne Abrahamụọgụ Aṅụsịobi Madụ.