Elder Statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said providence was not on his side when he aspired to be President of Nigeria.
At a press conference to mark his 79th birthday, Iwuanyanwu said he “ventured into politics and actually aspired for the office of the President of Nigeria thrice with the hope of fixing Nigeria one day.
“Unfortunately, providence was not on my side to be President of Nigeria.
He advised the younger generation of leaders to “draw wisdom from my wealth of experience and continue with the struggle for a better Nigeria”
Iwuanyanwu announced that he has quit partisan politics.
“At 79, I wish to therefore announce my exit from partisan politics to pave way for the younger generation of leaders I have been able to groom and mentor who will now carry on with my legacies and political philosophy.
Iwuanyanwu, who is Chairman, Elders Council of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, advised that zoning and rotating the presidency of Nigeria should enshrined in the Constitution.
“It is our view that the presidency should now be enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he advised.
He called for restructuring of the country.
He said “Restructuring the country to ensure devolution of powers to the federating units is panacea to political stability in Nigeria.
“We need strong federating units and a weak centre so that everybody will leave Abuja and go back to the regions/states and develop the place, people will now pursue opportunities in their respective states and not in Abuja.
“The local governments will now be made very functional to bring opportunities and development closer to the people” Iwuanyanwu noted.
