Political leaders in the South East have been advised to revive the South East/North alliance, if Igbos must produce the nation’s President in 2023.
Barr Chuka Okezie, a political analyst told INNONEWS in Owerri, that it is impossible for the South East to win the presidency in 2023 without the support of the North.
He said until certain political and economic in-balances are rectified in the country, the North by size and its numerical strength, remains the determinant factor on who wins the Presidency in the country.
“Political leaders in the South East should revive the waning political marriage and alliance with the North
“In the first Republic, the North and the South East consummated a political marriage. That marriage produced Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, as President.
“In the second Republic, that same political marriage between the North and the South East produced Alhaji Shehu Shagari as President and Dr. Alex Ekwueme as Vice President
“In the botched third republic, it was the usual North- South East alliance that produced Bashir Tofa and Sylvester Ugo, as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of the National Republican Convention, NRC, in the 1993 presidential election.
“Some ethnic groups and forces became afraid of this marriage and decided to do all in its power to truncate it. And they are succeeding.
“This is why since 1999 till date; we have seen a manipulative twist and shift- a new romance between the North and the South West- that had produced Obasanjo/Atiku as President and Vice President in 1999 and presently, Buhari/Osibanjo Presidency.
He said it is unfortunate that Igbo leaders have allowed such wondrous political marriage with the North to be decimated by forces that are afraid of the mutual political harmony between the North and the South East.
“Suddenly, there is a breakdown in the marriage between the North and South East fueled by forces outside Igboland. And our leaders are falling into this trap. External forces have infiltrated into the marriage and it is falling apart” Okezie said
He advised the Northern political leaders to look inwards and back an Igbo for the 2023 presidency, as a reward for years of political alliance with the South East.
“The South East has always aided the North to attain power and it is in order that the North should reciprocate by backing an Igbo for the Presidency in 2023” he said.