By February 2023, Muhammadu Buhari would have spent 8 years in power as President, which means the north would have completed its 8 years and two terms. This fact has cropped up conversations bordering on power rotation and zoning, as the election year draws closer....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
President Buhari and party members during a rally in 2019
The question on the lips of many is, “where would the next president and Commander in Chief of Africa’s most populous nation come from in 2023? Would it be from the South West, South East or would the North retain power?
A look at history books show that Olusegun Obasanjo, who is from the South-West served as President from 1999 to 2007. Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South held the post from 2009 to 2015; while late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari are both from the North.
Of the three major tribes in Nigeria, only the Igbos from the South East have never ruled Nigeria since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. This has further strengthened their demand for an Igbo President in 2023.
However, sentiments do not win elections; strategies and proper planning do.
If speculations are anything to go by, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are frontline candidates to replace President Buhari in Aso Rock.
Atiku and Tinubu are both seasoned and experienced veterans in the Nigerian political cycle. If the South West decided to unanimously support Tinubu while the North decided to back Atiku, who would the Igbos present as their candidate?
View pictures in App save up to 80% data. More than ever before, the South East must all come together to put their house in order, as a divided house would further dampen their ambitions of taking over power in 2023. Also, the region needs to form a strong and formidable alliance with other regions of the country.
The answer or simple solution to the burning question would be for frontline stakeholders of Igbo extraction like Orji Uzor Kalu, Peter Obi, Rochas Okorocha, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Ken Nnamani, Ike Ekweremandu, Anyim Pius Anyim, and others to liase, irrespective of party line, to chat a common front for the “Igbo Agenda”.
