₦airaland Forum

Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe is the National Coordinator of the Southsouth Elders Forum. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the agitations by the regions for zoning of the Presidency in 2023.



What is the position of the Southsouth on zoning?



For us, the race for the Presidency has started and it is a clear fact that there is a non conventional agreement that the presidency will rotate between the North and the South. Presently, the Presidency is in the North and by 2023, they would have completed their tenure.

It then implies that the presidency will have to return to the south. In the South, we have three zones. The Southsouth, the Southeast and the Southwest. The Southwest has had their complete two term through former President Obasanjo, the Southsouth has had one term through Jonathan and the Southeast has not gotten it in the current dispensation.

But, talking about global Nigeria, the North has ruled for over 40 years. The West has also ruled for almost 12 years, while the East has ruled for six months and the Southsouth has ruled for one tenure and it is right for the Southsouth to complete their two term, after which the East can have a claim to it.

But, beside that, the East today are insisting on Biafra and not on the presidency. We in the Southsouth believe in the restructuring of this country and the presidency. We want to complete our two term and considering our role in the economic development of Nigeria.

We believe that we are the hub, carrying Nigeria and so, the nation should be fair to us by allowing us to complete our second term. After that, we will now believe that Nigeria is with us. We are not interested in dividing Nigeria, but we are interested in repositioning Nigeria.



We want to assure Nigeria that the Southsouth will douse the present feelings of the Igbos because the Southeast and the Southsouth are brothers of the same father and mother, while the Southsouth and the Southeast are brothers of the same father, but different mothers.

So, we believe that when a Southsouth president is completing his tenure, he will talk out the Igbos from Biafra. Although the three zones of the South and the Middle Belt believe in restructuring, we are ready to stand by restructuring. But, that does not mean that we will throw away the presidency.

We are appealing to Nigerians to do us this small favour of giving us a second term. We know that Nigerians can do it like they did when the Yorubas agitated. In all the parties, the Yorubas were allowed to present the presidential candidates.

We are saying that all the parties in Nigeria should present candidates from the Southsouth and Nigerians can choose the best among them. If a Southsouth man come, he will help Nigeria. Our oil production will increase, our gas production will increase and we will also give intellectual contribution.

We will have an intellectual think tank that will assist the president in ensuring that this country is effectively managed. We believe in one Nigeria and that is why we are appealing that Nigeria should consider us because we will not divide this country.

There are complex countries in the world that are working together. Even the America that we are celebrating today is an amalgamation of several states and despite their differences, because they have fiscal federalism, their economy is restructured, everybody is doing its own. That is what Nigeria need.

The North is insisting that they want to retain power in 2023 and they are already strategising and saying all the parties should field northern candidates. What are you doing to engage other zones to buy into your agitation.

Before the end of this quarter, you will see the south south coming out fully. Different groups of people from the region will come out to demand this. After that, we are going to make contact, lobby the various ethnic nationalities, political parties and the political class.

For the North insisting on coming back in 2023, it would mean that they dont mean well. That was why the Arewa group came out bolding to condemn the north for advocating for another tenure and they put their weight behind the Southsouth presidency.

If you want stability in this country, you must be fair to all and dont under rate anybody. When Yar’adua was there, he wanted to use military might in the Niger Delta and within months, the economy was crippled. He begged for amnesty and gave us more of the things we required.

Buhari came and thought he can use military might and the economy was crippled and here was recession until PANDEF came and salvage this country. So, you cannot say people cannot do anything.

Even the Igbos that are not happy today can do something, the Niger Delta can do something, the middle belt can do something. Every part of Nigeria has the potential to do something because we are a union and we don’t want crisis in this country. If the North wants to hold on to power, then they don’t want peace in Nigeria and I think the North will not do that.

Should the North insist on retaining power in 2023, what do we expect?

Except they want chaos in this country. If they want chaos in this country, then, they can insist. But, I can tell you that the Southsouth is the stabilising force in Nigeria.

We will stabilise the country and we will not allow Nigeria to go to that level where there will be conflict. We will try as much as possible to marry all the groups so that we can curtail everybody to ensure there is stability, peace and understanding amongst ourselves.

Is the clamour not too early and what exactly is propelling this agitation from the Southsouth?

Constitutionally, we are entitled to two tenure. You are aware when some people came together and were trying to force the President to run for a third term in office like what happened during the Obasanjo era. The president has graciously come out to say I dont want chaos in Nigeria, I am not going for third term.

That means people have started agitating and if you don’t put the things right early enough, people will be misled into believing issues like the North wanting to hold on to power. I don’t believe the North wants to hold on to power because the North is comfortable with the Southsouth.

We have been very close and if you look at our voting pattern, the North have more confidence in the Southsouth than any other region. So, I don’t think the North will be against the Southsouth. What is important is the Nigerian.

Even, if the North supports the Southsouth, what about the Southwest and the Southeast. That is why we are appealing to all sections of the country to bury the hatchet and work with us and let us do our second tenure, which others can take their turn.

Read Also: 2023: S’ West destined to rule, says APC Chieftain


There is this dangerous trend of every zone wanting a shot at the presidency of this country. Does that not mean that there is something that is potentially wrong. Must every zone have a shut at the Presidency before we have fairness?

You must look at Nigeria in the true context of how we behave. Nigerians don’t believe in true federalism. We are not operating the federal system like America where anywhere you live is your state and your home. Nigerians still believe in ethnicity, tribalism.

Its like a family where a man have children from different children and when only children from one wife are the ones dominating, there will always be problem. Our constitution is very clear and the understanding in 1998 was very clear.

Even, the various conferences that took place after 1999 were very clear that the presidency will always rotate between the North and the South. It is an agreement that is ruling Nigeria. If we are saying we want to rule, I am not the person that will rule and I don’t even know the person that will come from the Southsouth.

But, we will be more fulfilled that as Nigerians, we have been given our due right, that we have been accepted by Nigerians and people believe in us. We cannot produce all the revenue that is used to run this country and we are not allowed to taste it.

We are happy that today, in the National Council of States meeting, we have one president. In the past, we don’t even have one. Every part of this country wants to belong to the highest club and we are saying that, if the constitution, which is binding on all of us says two terms, then we should be allowed to go for two terms.

Then, we will know that our brother and sisters are with us. But, if you don’t allow us to go for two terms and you go for two terms, how will it work?

Will the Southsouth be ready for dialogue with other zones in the South to have a compromise on this matter?

I have said this is the first stage of making our intention known. After this stage, the Southsouth themselves will speak. The owners of the Southsouth will speak, which we are going to lobby and visit the various interest group, including ethnic nationalities and political parties to buy into our dream.

We are not going to use force to get it because politics is all about lobbying. We are willing to lobby, we are willing to talk. That is why we are talking and appealing, we are not using force or threatening anybody even though we have the instruments. We are saying let us reason together.

For the igbos, we sympathise with them and we understand their feelings. We know how they feel and are in a better position to protect them. We will not allow an Igbo man to go only one tenure.

When it is time for the Igbos to be president, we will support them to go for second tenure, even if others done want a second tenure for them because that is their right and we believe that every zone should have that second tenure. One zone should not have one tenure, while another zone have one tenure. It is unfair.

You said the Southsouth and Southeast are from one parent. For the sake of fairness, if the Southeast indicates interest in the presidency, will the Southsouth support them?

The Southsouth has never opposed the south east. But, with the present condition of Nigeria, if we don’t want the North to continue to hold on to power, then the Southeast should forget it because we know that the North will not give power to the Southeast now because of the fear of Biafra and the North will not give power to the Southwest because they also have their fears.

The only people they are comfortable with now is the Southsouth and if the Southsouth is not allowed, they will use it as an excuse to hold on to power. Anybody body with a political discerning mind knows it that the Northers are not comfortable with the Igbos.


https://thenationonlineng.net/why-north-cannot-retain-power-in-2023/

I will say this for the records

Let southeast have a shot in 2023

Reason


(1) sense of belonging

(2) let’s see the difference who knows it might be the reason Nigeria will change for good

I have kicked against the politics played by individuals from the east

But what will you say to those that put their lives and property for one Nigeria

Like Rochas okorocha, ngige, ogbonaya onu, late chuba okadigbo and many more

The truth is all the region’s that have held sway what did we achieve ?

My opinion though

[s]

sarrki:
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe is the National Coordinator of the Southsouth Elders Forum. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the agitations by the regions for zoning of the Presidency in 2023.



What is the position of the Southsouth on zoning?



For us, the race for the Presidency has started and it is a clear fact that there is a non conventional agreement that the presidency will rotate between the North and the South. Presently, the Presidency is in the North and by 2023, they would have completed their tenure.

It then implies that the presidency will have to return to the south. In the South, we have three zones. The Southsouth, the Southeast and the Southwest. The Southwest has had their complete two term through former President Obasanjo, the Southsouth has had one term through Jonathan and the Southeast has not gotten it in the current dispensation.

But, talking about global Nigeria, the North has ruled for over 40 years. The West has also ruled for almost 12 years, while the East has ruled for six months and the Southsouth has ruled for one tenure and it is right for the Southsouth to complete their two term, after which the East can have a claim to it.

But, beside that, the East today are insisting on Biafra and not on the presidency. We in the Southsouth believe in the restructuring of this country and the presidency. We want to complete our two term and considering our role in the economic development of Nigeria.

We believe that we are the hub, carrying Nigeria and so, the nation should be fair to us by allowing us to complete our second term. After that, we will now believe that Nigeria is with us. We are not interested in dividing Nigeria, but we are interested in repositioning Nigeria.



We want to assure Nigeria that the Southsouth will douse the present feelings of the Igbos because the Southeast and the Southsouth are brothers of the same father and mother, while the Southsouth and the Southeast are brothers of the same father, but different mothers.

So, we believe that when a Southsouth president is completing his tenure, he will talk out the Igbos from Biafra. Although the three zones of the South and the Middle Belt believe in restructuring, we are ready to stand by restructuring. But, that does not mean that we will throw away the presidency.

We are appealing to Nigerians to do us this small favour of giving us a second term. We know that Nigerians can do it like they did when the Yorubas agitated. In all the parties, the Yorubas were allowed to present the presidential candidates.

We are saying that all the parties in Nigeria should present candidates from the Southsouth and Nigerians can choose the best among them. If a Southsouth man come, he will help Nigeria. Our oil production will increase, our gas production will increase and we will also give intellectual contribution.

We will have an intellectual think tank that will assist the president in ensuring that this country is effectively managed. We believe in one Nigeria and that is why we are appealing that Nigeria should consider us because we will not divide this country.

There are complex countries in the world that are working together. Even the America that we are celebrating today is an amalgamation of several states and despite their differences, because they have fiscal federalism, their economy is restructured, everybody is doing its own. That is what Nigeria need.

The North is insisting that they want to retain power in 2023 and they are already strategising and saying all the parties should field northern candidates. What are you doing to engage other zones to buy into your agitation.

Before the end of this quarter, you will see the south south coming out fully. Different groups of people from the region will come out to demand this. After that, we are going to make contact, lobby the various ethnic nationalities, political parties and the political class.

For the North insisting on coming back in 2023, it would mean that they dont mean well. That was why the Arewa group came out bolding to condemn the north for advocating for another tenure and they put their weight behind the Southsouth presidency.

If you want stability in this country, you must be fair to all and dont under rate anybody. When Yar’adua was there, he wanted to use military might in the Niger Delta and within months, the economy was crippled. He begged for amnesty and gave us more of the things we required.

Buhari came and thought he can use military might and the economy was crippled and here was recession until PANDEF came and salvage this country. So, you cannot say people cannot do anything.

Even the Igbos that are not happy today can do something, the Niger Delta can do something, the middle belt can do something. Every part of Nigeria has the potential to do something because we are a union and we don’t want crisis in this country. If the North wants to hold on to power, then they don’t want peace in Nigeria and I think the North will not do that.

Should the North insist on retaining power in 2023, what do we expect?

Except they want chaos in this country. If they want chaos in this country, then, they can insist. But, I can tell you that the Southsouth is the stabilising force in Nigeria.

We will stabilise the country and we will not allow Nigeria to go to that level where there will be conflict. We will try as much as possible to marry all the groups so that we can curtail everybody to ensure there is stability, peace and understanding amongst ourselves.

Is the clamour not too early and what exactly is propelling this agitation from the Southsouth?

Constitutionally, we are entitled to two tenure. You are aware when some people came together and were trying to force the President to run for a third term in office like what happened during the Obasanjo era. The president has graciously come out to say I dont want chaos in Nigeria, I am not going for third term.

That means people have started agitating and if you don’t put the things right early enough, people will be misled into believing issues like the North wanting to hold on to power. I don’t believe the North wants to hold on to power because the North is comfortable with the Southsouth.

We have been very close and if you look at our voting pattern, the North have more confidence in the Southsouth than any other region. So, I don’t think the North will be against the Southsouth. What is important is the Nigerian.

Even, if the North supports the Southsouth, what about the Southwest and the Southeast. That is why we are appealing to all sections of the country to bury the hatchet and work with us and let us do our second tenure, which others can take their turn.

Read Also: 2023: S’ West destined to rule, says APC Chieftain


There is this dangerous trend of every zone wanting a shot at the presidency of this country. Does that not mean that there is something that is potentially wrong. Must every zone have a shut at the Presidency before we have fairness?

You must look at Nigeria in the true context of how we behave. Nigerians don’t believe in true federalism. We are not operating the federal system like America where anywhere you live is your state and your home. Nigerians still believe in ethnicity, tribalism.

Its like a family where a man have children from different children and when only children from one wife are the ones dominating, there will always be problem. Our constitution is very clear and the understanding in 1998 was very clear.

Even, the various conferences that took place after 1999 were very clear that the presidency will always rotate between the North and the South. It is an agreement that is ruling Nigeria. If we are saying we want to rule, I am not the person that will rule and I don’t even know the person that will come from the Southsouth.

But, we will be more fulfilled that as Nigerians, we have been given our due right, that we have been accepted by Nigerians and people believe in us. We cannot produce all the revenue that is used to run this country and we are not allowed to taste it.

We are happy that today, in the National Council of States meeting, we have one president. In the past, we don’t even have one. Every part of this country wants to belong to the highest club and we are saying that, if the constitution, which is binding on all of us says two terms, then we should be allowed to go for two terms.

Then, we will know that our brother and sisters are with us. But, if you don’t allow us to go for two terms and you go for two terms, how will it work?

Will the Southsouth be ready for dialogue with other zones in the South to have a compromise on this matter?

I have said this is the first stage of making our intention known. After this stage, the Southsouth themselves will speak. The owners of the Southsouth will speak, which we are going to lobby and visit the various interest group, including ethnic nationalities and political parties to buy into our dream.

We are not going to use force to get it because politics is all about lobbying. We are willing to lobby, we are willing to talk. That is why we are talking and appealing, we are not using force or threatening anybody even though we have the instruments. We are saying let us reason together.

For the igbos, we sympathise with them and we understand their feelings. We know how they feel and are in a better position to protect them. We will not allow an Igbo man to go only one tenure.

When it is time for the Igbos to be president, we will support them to go for second tenure, even if others done want a second tenure for them because that is their right and we believe that every zone should have that second tenure. One zone should not have one tenure, while another zone have one tenure. It is unfair.

You said the Southsouth and Southeast are from one parent. For the sake of fairness, if the Southeast indicates interest in the presidency, will the Southsouth support them?

The Southsouth has never opposed the south east. But, with the present condition of Nigeria, if we don’t want the North to continue to hold on to power, then the Southeast should forget it because we know that the North will not give power to the Southeast now because of the fear of Biafra and the North will not give power to the Southwest because they also have their fears.

The only people they are comfortable with now is the Southsouth and if the Southsouth is not allowed, they will use it as an excuse to hold on to power. Anybody body with a political discerning mind knows it that the Northers are not comfortable with the Igbos.


https://thenationonlineng.net/why-north-cannot-retain-power-in-2023/

[/s]

[s]

sarrki:
I will say this for the records

Let southeast have a shot in 2023

Reason


(1) sense of belonging

(2) let’s see the difference who knows it might be the reason Nigeria will change for good

I have kicked against the politics played by individuals from the east

But what will you say to those that put their lives and property for one Nigeria

Like Rochas okorocha, ngige, ogbonaya onu, late chuba okadigbo and many more

The truth is all the region’s that have held sway what did we achieve ?

My opinion though

[/s]

The South is too divided to grab power.....but once it comes to power......the North unites

Whatever happens the presidency is coming down to East 2023

Some south mumu sha.

I strongly think the interview is fabricated... in as much as this may just be divide and rule tactics, there are too many loophole to suspect the interview.

But, talking about global Nigeria, the North has ruled for over 40 years. The West has also ruled for almost 12 years, while the East has ruled for six months and the Southsouth has ruled for one tenure and it is right for the Southsouth to complete their two term, after which the East can have a claim to it.

But one term is more than six months, even with a term added to SE, it's still not up to Jonathan's rule.

We want to assure Nigeria that the Southsouth will douse the present feelings of the Igbos because the Southeast and the Southsouth are brothers of the same father and mother, while the Southsouth and the Southeast are brothers of the same father, but different mothers.

Really trying to understand this.

They can if they wish to.... Cos southerner politicians are not united

We should stop all this unnecessary reckless talks

sarrki:
I will say this for the records

Let southeast have a shot in 2023

Reason


(1) sense of belonging

(2) let’s see the difference who knows it might be the reason Nigeria will change for good

I have kicked against the politics played by individuals from the east

But what will you say to those that put their lives and property for one Nigeria

Like Rochas okorocha, ngige, ogbonaya onu, late chuba okadigbo and many more

The truth is all the region’s that have held sway what did we achieve ?

My opinion though

SE 2023?

Under which party cos under Apc can never be possible.. People only sow where they are going to reap

sarrki:
I will say this for the records

Let southeast have a shot in 2023

Reason


(1) sense of belonging

(2) let’s see the difference who knows it might be the reason Nigeria will change for good

I have kicked against the politics played by individuals from the east

But what will you say to those that put their lives and property for one Nigeria

Like Rochas okorocha, ngige, ogbonaya onu, late chuba okadigbo and many more

The truth is all the region’s that have held sway what did we achieve ?

My opinion though

I share the same opinion with you.

But the problem is, south is not united..
Every regions are working for their interests.
For example.
If apc decide to chose SS as president and north as vice
Pdp chose north as president and sw as vice,

Who do you think will win the election?
West will want to side Pdp.

Or if
Apc chose sw as president and North as vice.
Pdp north as president and SE as vice.

I'm very sure PDP will win...

Until will come together as south....

sarrki:
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe is the National Coordinator of the Southsouth Elders Forum. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the agitations by the regions for zoning of the Presidency in 2023.

But, talking about global Nigeria, the North has ruled for over 40 years. The West has also ruled for almost 12 years, while the East has ruled for six months and the Southsouth has ruled for one tenure and it is right for the Southsouth to complete their two term, after which the East can have a claim to it.

https://thenationonlineng.net/why-north-cannot-retain-power-in-2023/

The man is high on local gin and Tramadol. Useless old drunk. That was how their son Goatluck Jonaddaft went to UN General Assembly, got drunk on foreign wine and landed in a foreign hospital. These idiots talk of North but at the same time talk of three Souths. They think everyone is stupid like them. There are six regions. Muritala Muhammed/Muhammadu Buhari/Sani Abacha/Sheu Shagari - North West . IBB/Abdulsalami Abubakar - North Central . Tafawa Balewa - North East . Olusegun Obasanjo/Earnest Shonekan - South West . Nnamdi Azikiwe/Aguyi Ironsi - South East . Goatluck Jonathan - South South. Therefore all regions of the country have ruled at one time or the other.

For any old nincompoop to one online and start spewing trash about South South being next, please let him know that the Presidency is not given on a platter of Gold, it is taken. If any region wants to lobby for the Presidency, it should be the South-East, but they won't lobby and build friendship with other regions, I trust them. Rather, they will continue going about abusing and cursing other regions. After abusing my father and my mother, you then ask me to vote for you, then you must be mad.

This old drunk that is talking rubbish, should be arrested together with the MURIC idiot Prof. Ishaq or what does he call himself? The two of them should be taken to the market square and whipped thoroughly. Thereafrer, their heads should be cut offf of money rituals. The money that the spirits bring from the land of the dead can them be used to build roads, rails and bridges.

Where is GEJ from...?

I think Sara Igbe's head is paining him.
Though, I am not from east but they should please allow easterner to oversee the affairs of this nation for at least 4 years.

Those people are due for it abeg...

helinues:
SE 2023?

Under which party cos under Apc can never be possible.. People only sow where they are going to reap

It’s height time we do away with what can cause disharmony among ourselves

The so called fracas between Igbo and Yoruba only exist among little few created by wild imaginations and social media

sarrki:
It’s height time we do away with what can cause disharmony among ourselves

The so called fracas between Igbo and Yoruba only exist among little few created by wild imaginations and social media

Disharmony in which way? No food for lazy man.

Power is not given but taken. If SE are really interested in 2023,, let them presents their candidates and stop all this emotional blackmailing..

They should have thought about their future in Nigeria before Puting all their eggs in one basket

South-East/West or any other region does not need the presidency because this have never even helped any region that has held it before.Imagine what have long became of the NC & NW that have produced most of Nigeria presidents in the time past.

What Nigeria need today is a total devolution of power from the centre in a restructured federation where the regions will have the privilege to develop @ their own respective pace hence promotes healthy competition.Its will come with its attendant complications but we will all be better off.

Rochas2023:
Whatever happens the presidency is coming down to East 2023

North East you meant

A ship os sinking, the passengers are busy fighting fir who will be the next Captain of the Ship. Nobody cares about the Ship lol