Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and Igbo leaders have been advised to endorse or select consensus candidates among many presidential aspirants from the South East, vying for the Nigerian presidency in 2023, in the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
This was disclosed by a socio-political group, Igbo wu-ike, in its resolution at the end of its meeting held in Enugu on Sunday.
According to the group’s resolution signed by Hon. Everest Agunmuo and Chief Fidelis Dike, President General and Secretary respectively, said “though many presidential aspirants in the contest from the zone is a reflection of the burning desire of the South East to produce the nation’s next President in 2023, Ohaneze and Igbo leaders owe it a duty to the Igbo nation, to either adopt or recommend consensus candidates of Igbo extraction for the two major political parties”
Recall that Northern Elders had last week adopted former Senate President, Olubukola Saraki and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, as Northern consensus presidential candidates in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
“Igbo elders and leaders should tow the path of the Northern elders by adopting one Igbo Presidential aspirant, as consensus candidate for the South East in the APC and the PDP.
“We have observed that our worthy sons aspiring for the Presidency in the two political parties are eminently qualified, but there is need for Ohaneze and Igbo leaders to come together and assess the aspirants, with the aim of recommending consensus candidates from Igbo nation for the two political parties.
“We have consulted widely and we believe this is the path to follow, if the South East would be taken serious in producing the next President of Nigeria 2023.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo should consult widely and engage in robust assessment of the aspirants. This should be done in synergy with other socio political groups and those who are strongly agitating for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction” part of the statement stated.
More than six presidential aspirants of South East origin are vying for the Nigerian Presidency in 2023. They are Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi (APC), former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi (PDP), Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC), former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, (PDP), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa (PDP), Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige (APC), among others.
There are speculations that Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, may join the contest.