......To adopt the 1999 Yoruba model for 2023

By Onwuka Nzeshi and Emmanuel Ifeanyi




There seems to be no let down in the clamour for an Igbo man to become the President of the nation in 2023, as there are indications that prominent leaders of Igbo extraction are closing ranks and have been having series of meetings in order to intensify efforts on their bid to achieve the aim.

The meetings, which multiple sources said had leaders of thought, prominent politicians, traditional rulers, businessmen and industrialists, among others, in attendance had been taking place at the home of a former governor in the South East, whom sources say is the coordinator of the project. To this end, many of the Igbo leaders are said to have buried their political differences in order to accomplish the task.

However, sources within the group said there had been no decision on the choice of candidate as well as the political party to use for the project.

This is coming as Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU), lent its support to the agenda, saying that the region is handling the 2023 presidency agenda painstakingly, just as its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe, confirmed that there are ongoing meetings and consultations over the matter.

Adopting Yoruba model Further checks by our correspondents however revealed that, while some of the Igbo leaders are insisting on fielding a common candidate for the top job, others are of the opinion that the race should adopt the 1999 Yoruba model, in which the major political parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) fielded Yoruba men: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) and Chief OLu Falae (AD).

According to most of the sources within the group, the Yoruba model is actually gaining attention of most the leaders, going by its acceptability within the assembly. “We are very serious about this project.

For once we are putting our differences aside to see this thing through. We are insisting that they should give us the two candidates for the APC and the PDP, so that it would be like what happened to the Yoruba race in 1999”, said one of the sources. It was also gathered that a prominent Igbo business tycoon, who is very close to a former governor in the South West has offered to bankroll the project, and to be assisted by other magnates.

The businessman, whose ‘empire’ cuts across the West African coast, is already reaching out to those that may want to prove stubborn, and he is said to be in touch with his friends in other regions, including the South West and the North over the project.

According to our source, the meeting has the blessings of all that matters in the South East, including those that are not presently resident in the country, as some of them who couldn’t attend had given their blessings to the parley. “It was a meeting supported by our leaders, irrespective of political affiliations. Everybody wants an Igbo man to clinch the seat, so it depends on how we play our own game.

The meeting will later resolve who and who to run and which platform. “But for now, we just want everybody that matters to key into the project, and that is what we are gradually achieving.

Once that is fully settled, the next stage would be to determine those that can accommodate our interests when they get to office. We’re not joking -ASETU Speaking on the supposed necessity of the agenda, Diwe, who leads many socio-political groups in Igboland, said the present efforts were to ensure that the agenda was realised, and Ndigbo are serious with the 2023 presidency agenda.

Noting that the issue is on the front burner because of its importance, Diwe said the 2023 presidency was not an individual opinion, but a collective decision, which explained reasons for the different meetings and consultations currently going on.

“Knowing what town unions represent in Igboland, in our structure, issues as important as this are not what we go about with a personal opinion. It is something we go about with the opinion of the Igbos represented by the five chairmen of the South East states as collated from their various states. “So, this evening (last night) we’re having a night session on this matter in Enugu and by tomorrow (today), there will be an answer on the matter. I have my own opinion, but it is the general opinion of the Igbo, the structure I represent that will go.

We’re not joking with this”, he said. No going back, says Rep In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Benjamin Kalu, has said that the clamour for the South East to clinch the Presidency is real and a genuine aspiration of the people of the region, saying that it is offensive to ask if the region was willing and ready to take up the challenge of leading Nigeria.

He said: “It is as offensive as asking one of the sons of a great man, if he thinks he is entitled to his father’s throne and inheritance when the others have had a share; unless you are indirectly questioning his paternity. “Are you aware of anything cogent enough to disqualify the people of the South East from aspiring to lead this nation?

If you know please tell me. What else is more genuine than the fact that the South East has supported other regions to occupy that position and have patiently waited for it to go round in turns? “National peace and unity found in cohesion is enhanced when every tribe and tongue is given the sense of belonging they desire and deserve.

Beyond this, it is politics, not traditional birthrights, it is never given, it is taken. Advising his kinsmen to further close ranks and stop playing politics of hatred, Kalu said the time for the zone to be more firm and united had come, so as to clinch the number job in the country.

“The South East should stop swimming against the tide in the bid to show strength. We are stronger when we partner to build bonds and confidence than when we show the strength of individuality.

There is wisdom in aligning properly and timely too. We can’t deliver the dream alone; we need a strong partnership with the rest of the regions.
“The Igbo enweghi eze (the Igbo nation has no king) ancient philosophy has to give way because my generation is in search of true leadership found in selflessness and patriotism to Nigeria, not just the Igbo nation.” Contrary view But on the contrary, Saturday Telegraph also gathered that, apart from some individuals who have been posturing as possible candidates, there is yet no formal and concerted effort to build a common platform for the project.

A source who is conversant with the political trends in the region said that while some personalities including one of the serving governors had shown interest in the project, the bulk of the political heavyweights were lukewarm about it because they were not convinced about it’s feasibility.

“The real political leaders are not showing interest yet because the atmosphere is still very hazy.

The average political leader in the South East believes more in restructuring of Nigeria than getting the Presidency under the current political structure. This is because they are being realistic that even if they get the Presidency today, there is nothing much they can achieve with it under the current political structure. “Secondly, if you are talking about power shifting to the South East in 2023, under which party are you going to launch the campaign?

The bulk of South East leaders are not in APC but in PDP but APC is the party in power. We also know that the issue of power shift transcends political parties and that is why some prominent Nigerians from other zones are agitating for it to go to the South East.

“We are not unmindful of the clamour too in the South West by politicians of the APC stock who feel that their being in power today entitles them to get it. What I can tell you is that the coast is still foggy and nobody can tell you with certainty where the pendulum will swing”, he said.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/10/2023-igbo-leaders-in-strong-push-for-presidency/

It seems PDP is ready to give the ticket to SE.

Atiku, how market?

Adopting Yoruba model Further checks by our correspondents however revealed that, while some of the Igbo leaders are insisting on fielding a common candidate for the top job, others are of the opinion that the race should adopt the 1999 Yoruba model, in which the major political parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) fielded Yoruba men: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) and Chief OLu Falae (AD).

This is nonsense.

In 1999, parties were just being formed and had yet to take roots in regions. It was their first time to test the waters back then. After the election, it became clear which regions were leaning towards what parties.

The South West became predominantly opposition base while pdp prevailed in other zones.

Now, to the south East. They've never hidden their affection and loyalty to pdp. Even when the MOST RESPECTED AND POPULAR SOUTH EATERNER IN RECORDED HISTORY, ran against a pdp ticket, he was ditched by his people and didnt even win his own state (I stand to be corrected)!!

Nowhere else has pdp seen as much support as they have in the East. Since 99, the party has held the zone on lockdown. The OPPOSITION HAS INTERRUPTED GOVERNORSHIP COLOURATION IN THAT ZONE FOR ONLY EIGHT YEARS OUT OF TWENTY!! Nowhereelse in the country do you find this trend!

The South East has paid their dues in sweat, blood and financial resources in PDP more than ANY OTHER ZONE in the country.

It is time the party rewarded them. That shouldnt be too hard to do.



Edit.

Now it's been confirmed the party didnt even zone their ticket to the South West as folks have been claiming. It rather zoned it to THE SOUTH. Elder Ekweme even took a shot at the ticket but lost to Baba.

So, in essense, the basis of the argument of this group is fundamentally flawed and therefore they have NO LEGITIMATE CLAIMS HERE.

2023igbopresidency

Having the presidency have never benefited any region as far as histroy is concerned.The core
northern Nigeria is a classical case as its has dominated most part of our national life but all the ills of misgovernance are everywhere in the region.

So what Nigeria needs today is devolution of power from the centre so that the regions can compete & develop @ their own pace.This will also reduce the selfishness of the politicians.

Racoon:
Having the presidency have never done benefited any region as far as histroy is concern.The core
northern Nigeria is a classical case as its has dominate our national life but all the ill of misgovernance are everywhere.

So what Nigeria needs today is devolution of power from the centre so that the regions can compete & develop @ their own pace.This will also reduce the selfishness of the politicians.

You are quite right about this, it seems there is a curse that follows the seat ,looking at what bedeviled Jonathan and Buhari while in Aso rock . Today bad luck is hitting nothern states with banditry, flood, slave camp , boko haram

Jonathan lost his brother and almost lost his wife while as a president

God forbid we core northern vote for a nyamuri flat.head for presidency!! Let them keep deceiving themselves, they think we are fools.. ur in for a shocker walahi

Power is coming home to the East in 2023. It is clearly on the horizon.

Its just a matter of alliance..... In as much as Igbo presidency is not going to guarantee any serious development, Igbos can give it a serious shot.

First to clear all grey areas with their closest brothers in South South and then proceed to the North and finally to the West. You can't get all round support especially from the West but they can make a good case for it.

My favorite situation continues to be regional government...total federal government.... We are going no where in a country where next elections are being discussed even before the current elections are concluded.

Hmmn let's see how it pans out...

OK ooo but what I know is that you can't plant yam and expect to harvest plantain.it is normal for you to be coordinated at least you can ask for presidency slot from your party you are dying for .because you can't get from the party you are denying bcs Yoruba's are not mumus .

Nigerians will support an Igbo president in 2023.. I have no iota of doubts about that..

Maduawuchukwu:
Power is coming home to the East in 2023. It is clearly on the horizon.

yes ooooo... power na power even if it is transmission power line .

adekolaelect:
yes ooooo... power na power even if it is transmission power line .

Is it the same osibanjo that peter obi used to clean ground in his own polling unit in Lagos.?

lol

Good...that is what I want to hear, we can't continue to stand hands akimbo. This country belongs to everyone.

In 1999 and 2023, PDP did not zone presidency to the South West، instead PDP zoned its presidential ticket to the SOUTH. Obasanjo defeated Alex Ekwueme at the primaries in those two occasions. Please don't be unfortunate by lying on the internet.

Mscheeeew

hahahaha

let them go and beg junaid again

SouthWest 2023..


..

I support


Check my signature if you need a website designer

Alaniyiokorausa:
2023igbopresidency

....a pipe dream

They deserve it this time

And any Igbo President should be sensible enough to just divide this country once and for all.

If I am to be a president, I will just divide the country once I emerge.

Honestly one Nigeria is not working, let's tell our selves the truth.

They want to use the Yoruba model and you would but wonder what they meant by that word!

In 1993, MKO won the election adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in history and the election was annulled.

SW clamored for justice in 1999 using the earlier injustice meted against them by the Northerners (Babangida) and the North supported OBJ in PDP out of remorse for the wrong of one of their own (Babangida).

The Igbos have a penchant for taking the glory of other people and one would but wonder what they meant by the statement that they supported OBJ in 1999. The PDP primaries of Jos convention 1998 was keenly contested by OBJ, Ekwueme, etc. and those that gave OBJ the needed edge are the middle belt and core North voters. NOT the Igbos.

They would later vote OBJ in the presidental election for two reasons:
PDP had a wider national spread than AD which is seen as a Yoruba party.

They will NEVER support the Yorubas interest, hence its better to vote OBJ then to spite the Yorubas.

Even the Bible said you can’t reap what you did not sow, why should the APC (a terrorist Islamic party) pick an Igbo presidential candidate? The Igbos can contest with the Yorubas in the APC primaries in 2023 like OBJ contested against Igbo in 1999 under PDP.

But No one should say they should be given that position on a platter of gold.

They will fail woefully .
Southwest got it in 2023 already.
Osinbajo will use 8 years . Then the Ijaws/SS will have their remaining 4 years.
Then it goes back to the north.

South east presidency won't make any difference under this kind of political structure we have in Nigeria..

Restructuring is the answer.... We can't keep doing same thing and expect different result.

X

Lol unserious & comical folks.
I wonder if the votes for the presidency will be given by the East alone. These Ibos have made too many enemies to be given any votes or trusted with power. Rather than waste time & money to contest a position they won’t get votes for outside their enclaves, they should begin a reconciliatory journey with other ethnic groups from now towards the presidency in some years to this era.

Udo

Waste of time

This my people dey fall my hand.. They don't know the deep hatred this country has for us. Why not forget this bullshit presidency and push strongly for biafra instead

omenka:
This is nonsense.

In 1999, parties were just being formed and had yet to take roots in regions. It was their first time to test the waters back then. After the election, it became clear which regions were leaning towards what parties.

The South West became predominantly opposition base while pdp prevailed in other zones.

Now, to the south East. They've never hidden their affection and loyalty to pdp. Even when the MOST RESPECTED AND POPULAR SOUTH EATERNER IN RECORDED HISTORY, ran against a pdp ticket, he was ditched by his people and didnt even win his own state (I stand to be corrected)!!

Nowhere else has pdp seen as much support as they have in the East. Since 99, the party has held the zone on lockdown. The OPPOSITION HAS INTERRUPTED GOVERNORSHIP COLOURATION IN THAT ZONE FOR ONLY EIGHT YEARS OUT OF TWENTY!! Nowhereelse in the country do you find this trend!

The South East has paid their dues in sweat, blood and financial resources in PDP more than ANY OTHER ZONE in the country.

It is time the party rewarded them. That shouldnt be too hard to do.

The summary of your text is captured in the write up, "swimming against the tide to show strength"
Your loyalty to PDP makes no difference, the definition of democracy is aligning with others to win and that's what u see the yorubas do.