The current ordeal of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison by an Abuja Federal High Court, has sent fear down the spines of those eying the presidency in 2023 from Igboland.
Kalu, Senate Chief whip was said to be among some key Igbo politicians, with the intention of running for the presidency in 2023.
His being sentenced to jail is linked to allegations of fraud he pepertrated through his company, Slok Construction Company when he was Governor of Abia State.
In recent times, the clamour for Igbo to produce the nation’s next President, has been on the upswing with some top Igbo politicians indicating silent interest to join the fray.
Some of them had started making consultations, holding nocturnal meetings and setting up mini political structures ahead of the presidential contest in 2023.
This newspaper observed that since Kalu was sentenced to jail last week, the tempo and intensity of the presidential bids of some leading Igbo politicians who have presidential ambitions has toned down.
The belief that some Igbo businessmen and politicians have been targeted for “annihilation” by powers that be seems to have made some presidential hopeful to slow down.
Analysts contend that the ordeal of Allen Onyeama, CEO Air Peace, who is alleged to have engaged in fraudulent acts in the United States, seems to have also added credence to fears that some Igbo top shots have been targeted ahead of the 2023 polls.