BY: CHUKS OKORIE (AWKA), RALPH EJIMKONYE (ABUJA), GREG IWU (OWERRI

Recently the apex Igbo socio political organization, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, advised South East politicians to begin now to prepare for the 2023 presidential race. The group further advised they begin to reach out to other political blocs in order to realize their ambitions.

According to Chuks Ibegbu, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze, he said the call is borne out of the need to get the zone poised for future political permutations.

Part of the statement reads “We call on all presidential materials in Igbo land to begin early enough to build networks with political blocs, groups and individuals in other zones of the country in preparation for future political permutations

“Ohaneze believes and maintain that it’s just and fair after the North for power to shift to the South East” he declared.

The renewed call by Ohaneze is coming on the heels of serious interest in the 2023 presidential race by the South West especially from the zonal chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC. APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been speculated to be interested in the contest in 2023.

Though he has severally denied the claims, political analysts say his body language indicates he may be eying the nation’s number seat after all. If this speculation remains so, then it put the South East in a tight corner to produce the nation’s president after President Muhammadu Buhari ends his tenure in 2023 considering the fact the South West is the stronghold of the APC.

The APC do have sorry presence in the South East and this could pose a hindrance For the region to firmly argue for the Presidency within the confines of the ruling party.

In the 2019 elections, it managed to garner about 400,000 votes for President Buhari allowing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to hold sway in the region. It’s only stronghold in the region, Imo State also crumbled to the PDP. This also affected it’s chances to produce a single principal officer of the 9th National Assembly as the APC failed to field a South Easterner for any of the key positions of the National Assembly.

The call by Ohaneze might be a wake up call but for Igbo leaders in the APC scrambling for such position, it might be a herculean task.It is expected that the ruling party in line with the tenets of fairness and equity, should consider the South East for the Presidency in 2023 by the time President Buhari completes his tenure.

But worries have arisen how the APC has marginalized the region in areas of appointments which signpost the fact that it is not keen to hand over power to the region in 2023.

Mr.Ferdinand Anyanwu, a political analyst said the APC has shown by its action that it may not be keen to hand over power to the South East in 2023.

“Judging by the fact that the no one from the South East holds a key position both in the Executive and legislative arms of government, it is an indication that the 2023 presidency coming to the region is elusive on the APC platform

“If no South Easterner could be considered for Senate President, Deputy Senate President or even the Speaker of the House, is it the Presidency they will consider the South East for?

Mr.Chris Okebata, a chieftain of the party argued differently. He said Nigeria stands on a tripod and it flows that the South East should produce Nigeria’s President in 2023. irrespective of the political platform that wll aid in actualizing this mission

“The North would have completed eight years after Buhari in 2023. The South West had eight years under Obasanjo. The South South did six years under Good luck Jonathan.

“It is the turn of the South East in 2023. It is a golden fact.Ohaneze should be commended for that wake up call to South East politicians to begin now to prepare and reach out to other political blocs.

“It is not proper for anyone to allude that the ruling party will not consider the South East for the Presidency in 2023.

” If you move around the region, President Buhari has done a lot in areas of Infrastructure. Look at the Second Niger Bridge, it’s nearing completion. So many Federal projects are either ongoing or being rehabilitated in the South East

“I think no Igbo has been appointed in the inner circle of the Federal government because we voted poorly in the last general elections.

“You do not expect juicy appointments to come to a region who did not vote for the ruling party. Naturally, those who voted and brought the government to power, takes the big share of the appointments. This is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. It happens in the civilized world.

“It is a different story when you are talking of power shift. It is clear that it is the turn of the South East to produce a President after Buhari

“That is a fundamental issue that touches on the political firmament of the nation.Whether we voted for the APC or not, it is not an issue when we talk of the Presidency moving from one zone to the other.

“We must understand that power is never given, but taken. We cannot say because it is our turn, others will not go for it. That is a wrong assumption and we must come out of that cocoon. When the Presidency was zoned to the North, there were presidential candidates from the South and vice versa.

“Because it is a major issue, the South East will be in contention in 2023. The argument that the South East did not vote for the APC therefore we do not stand a chance to produce a President on its platform is neither here nor there.

“Obasanjo was elected President in 1999 on the platform of the PDP despite the fact the Alliance for Democracy, AD was in control of the entire South West States. So what is the difference then and now.

He said Ohaneze deserves commendation for the wake up call, insisting that it is only the ruling party that has the political firepower to achieve a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.

He added that Igbo have their finest in the APC and one of them should be considered for the Presidency.

Mr.Frank Emetcheta however advised that the South East should not rely on the APC as the only political platform that will convey Igbo to the Presidency in 2023.

He said ” The South East is a stronghold of the PDP. We are at peace with the party. This was evident in the last two elections where the people overwhelmingly voted for the PDP. It is the only platform our people have embraced.

” It is a fact that the APC government has failed. The only State, Imo controlled by the APC in the South East also failed. This was evident in the last elections. APC could only garner 400,000 votes compared to over 3 million votes the PDP got. So you can see that if Igbo must produce a Nigerian President in 2023, then the PDP is the right platform” he concluded.

Mr.Reginald Igwe, said political platforms are not the first priority for the South East in the quest to have a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.

” We must engage in handshake across the Niger. This is the most paramount. APC or PDP is not the issue. We must get the support of other ethnic groups and align with other support bases. This is key for now. Then we can take it from there.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/08/2023-presidency-analysts-speak-on-south-east-chancesodds/

The south east is so politically advanced that it doesn't play the nigerian brand of local hungry man politics.

Therefore we won't lose sleep over Nigerian presidential calculations because it could turn to a major trap. Let those who has killed the country be allowed to bury it.

it is good to dream sometimes.but don't dream about it.you"ll only give yourself bad dreams.pinnacle of glory,you don't create.

To bet for igbo to win 2023, the odd go reach around 2million. Who wan stake am with 50 bucks?

Conversely, the odd for South West go be around 1.01

If I get 100 million, I go stake am

SLAP44:
The south east is so politically advanced that it doesn't play the nigerian brand of local hungry man politics.

Therefore we won't lose sleep over Nigerian presidential calculations because it could turn to a major trap. Let those who has killed the country be allowed to bury it.

Ipob Philosophy 101:

When having the apple is unachievable you are better off claiming it is infested with worms.

SLAP44:
The south east is so politically advanced that it doesn't play the nigerian brand of local hungry man politics.

Therefore we won't lose sleep over Nigerian presidential calculations because it could turn to a major trap. Let those who has killed the country be allowed to bury it.

We are politically naive in SE

Obere4u:


We are politically naive in SE

U really think so ?

If they like let them give the power to the Igbos, and if they don't let them do otherwise.

This country has been damaged beyond repair, hence, given it to a yoloba man will crucify the whole thing; giving it to a northerner will complete Buhari's hidden agenda which we all know...

Whether Nigeria likes it or not, only an Igbo man can bring true development to Nigeria. If you doubt me, look around the world and see how Igbos are excelling in diverse areas....

If we must face reality, it is the turn of the Igbos. Is either you allow it or you allow Biafra!

South East and south south chance of 2023 presidency is 0. % out of 100 %

yarimo:
South East and south south chance of 2023 presidency is 0. % out of 100 %

How about north ?

Yeyenatu!! GEJ was so competent that you guys voted him massively abi? Sebi he is Azikiwe. South East don serve their own term nah. Una never see anything.

That said, you see it is better to do a political calculation when faced with issues like this. You guys need to go back to the drawing board and reevaluate your strategies. Since Buhari came to power you guys have allowed bile to consume you. You guys are industrious but not strategic. You forgot that in business you never make enemies. The guy who messed you up today might be your saviour tomorrow. When Bola Tinubu was abusing PMB sometimes ago, today they are best of buddies because what PMB needed he got it from someone who abused him.

In politics there are no permanent enemies but permanent interests. You guys forgot that the British who administered this country gave the North advantage over the rest of us in terms of what figures they said they were. That arrangement has been on ground ever since. Whichever way you want to put it, to become President in Nigeria you have to kowtow to them. There is nothing anyone can do. The SE does not have the figures to make the presidency. The SW does not have either but ask yourself, if you are Hausa, will you vote an Iboman who says all of them are nitwits? Igbos who denigrated their sons and daughters? Bros answer this and be honest with it. Ko le werk.

To be able to win the Presidency you guys have to stoop to conquer. You have to reorganise your strategies. In actual facct and being honest 2023 ko le week lailai (I am not God)

JAGABAN is our next president.

If you are sure you need this presidency in 2023 trutrue, then go and see godfather and beg him to endorse Ibo. All this daily lamentation is noise. PDP will not give Ibo. We know this.

Let's 2023 play itself out

Cant SE demands presidency from Pdp?

You can't be serving a party whole heartedly for more than 20 years and get nothing in returns.. Not even the party chairman..

This slavery no get part two oo

The SE is not serious for the presidency.

Ekweremandu, Obi and other big wig igbos in PDP should be in prime position for presidency under PDP after laboring for the party for 20years, but Ibos are shouting at Tinubu and APC.

This scenario is confounding

Igbos can't ask for 2023 and Biafra at thesame time. It's inconsistent.

Nemesis909:


Ipob Philosophy 101:

When having the apple is unachievable you are better off claiming it is infested with worms.

Haven't you had the Apple severely? Did it transformed Nigeria to Dubai. What we (every region need is restructuring. Enough of this empty chest beating.in 50yrs time we shall realize that a restructured Nigeria where everyone and area strives to grow is the best instead of this feeding bottle system that breeds thieving politicians.

helinues:
Cant SE demands presidency from Pdp?

You can't be serving a party whole heartedly for more than 20 years and get nothing in returns.. Not even the party chairman..

This slavery no get part two oo

we are not complaining. What we want is a Nigeria where everyone can sleep with two eyes closed and travel on the high way without someone shooting at vehicles randomly.

Bridget95:
Haven't you had the Apple severely? Did it transformed Nigeria to Dubai. What we (every region need is restructuring. Enough of this empty chest beating.in 50yrs time we shall realize that a restructured Nigeria where everyone and area strives to grow is the best instead of this feeding bottle system that breeds thieving politicians.

Go to Aguyi-Ironsi's grave and ask him about restructuring.

Bridget95:
we are not complaining. What we want is a Nigeria where everyone can sleep with two eyes closed and travel on the high way without someone shooting at vehicles randomly.

Which one are you? Ipob , Ohaneze or Massob spoke person?

Esseite:
The political dynamics is much...

2023 may truly be the year that defines Nigeria..

A - If the Presidency stays North, Nigeria wont last very long.. the fight would be on so many fronts that may consume the nation. a split between North and south would be iminent. While even if the opposition fields a northerner and he/she wins, it would be assumed as rigged while the southern supporters would backtrack, giving room for a North and South conflict.

B - If the Presidency goes SW, Separatists would have millions of followers whom may have been given a lot of convincing reasons to align with them. freedom fighters and activists would have a field day, you may begin to see southern suicide bombers that may spiral out of control, With a possibly muslim Northern VP then, the possibly christian president may be impeached bringing about another Northern rule by imposition due to the fact that a southern president would always have a soft spot to attack the south like buhari is currently being soft on the North. Especially when not a military man Which may eventually turn out same scenerio as scene A above adding religious conflicts aswell.

The SE should start building bridges across board, with just a little effort, it would be given on a platter. The only problem is "The electable candidate for the politicians may be seen as too corrupt to be supported in the SE" while the political parties may not be comfortable with a candidate who cannot play ball alongside the fears of losing power to oppositions.

Popo lamentations..

Nemesis909:


Go to Aguyi-Ironsi's grave and ask him about restructuring.

why not ask your father OBJ who ruled three times why he didn't return Nigeria to Regionalism.

helinues:


Which one are you? Ipob , Ohaneze or Massob spoke person?

Are you an OPC member?

Bridget95:
Are you an OPC member?

Are you an Igbo catholic?

Bridget95:
why not ask your father OBJ who ruled three times why he didn't return Nigeria to Regionalism.

E pain am.

Kawai.

SLAP44:
The south east is so politically advanced that it doesn't play the nigerian brand of local hungry man politics.

Therefore we won't lose sleep over Nigerian presidential calculations because it could turn to a major trap. Let those who has killed the country be allowed to bury it.

When having a new Honda 2019 SUV is beyond your reach, you had better claimed the SUV comes with bad power steering just to safe face. Typical chest beater

yarimo:
South East and south south chance of 2023 presidency is 0. % out of 100 %

so is not one Nigerian again

Afamed:

When having a new Honda 2019 SUV is beyond your reach, you had better claimed the SUV comes with bad power steering just to safe face. Typical chest beater

You that have been driving new Honda cars since 1960 and yet your children are the hungriest, beggarly and homeless kids?

I better walk on foot than ride new Hondas while the whole region live in penury.

SLAP44:


You that have been driving new Honda cars since 1960 and yet your children are the hungriest, beggarly and homeless kids?

I better walk on foot than ride new Hondas while the whole region live in penury.

Bla bbbbbbbbllllla as usual