There are feelers that Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, may have his sights on the presidential contest in 2023 by being a running mate to a Northern presidential candidate.
His utterances in recent times and those of his aides suggest that the Imo State Governor may be scheming for a Vice Presidential ticket to a Nothern Presidential candidate on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Uzodinma had recently backed calls by President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, that the presidency should not be rotated but rather the most competent from any part of the country should aspire to lead the nation.
Daura’s comments had elicited widespread reactions across the country, as it was interpreted to reflect his desire that he wants another President from the North to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Apex pan Igbo group, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, and the Yoruba socio political organization, Afenifere, had kicked against Daura’s suggestion, reminding him that his uncle, President Muhammadu Buhari, never rode to the presidency on competence but on the basis of zoning.
The Presidency, in a statement, by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, distanced the President and his administration, from Daura’s views, saying he it was his personal opinion.
Uzodinma however differed with those who kicked against Daura, when he said in Owerri, recently, that…”What Nigeria needs most is strong and united Nigeria, using her diversity in culture and ethnicity as a source of strength.
He spoke when he received in audience at Government House, Owerri, Coalition of Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders of Nigeria.
Speculations became more clear that Uzodinma may be preparing grounds for a Vice Presidential ticket when his Political Adviser, Batos Nwadike, opposed the stance of Ohaneze on Igbo Presidency.
Batos Nwadike, took a swipe at Ohaneze ndi Igbo for lacking the vision and strategy to influence a President of Igbo extraction..
Nwadike said Ohaneze is speaking from both sides of the mouth having earlier said Igbos will be reluctant to take part in Nigerian affairs until it is restructured.
He said “When Nnia Nwodo said in a conference at Chatham House London sometime in 2019 that the country will be restructured or lose the Igbos participating fully in Nigeria’s political and economic affairs, up till now, the country has not been restructured and Muhammadu Buhari still remains the President.Unfortunately, the realization of Biafra has remained elusive.
However, leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had accused Uzodinma of falling prey to fake promises to the cabal of allot him a Vice Presidential ticket to a Northerner in 2023.