BY RALPH EJIMKONYE
With media reports of a fact finding Commitee said to have been set up by the presidency, to search for a sucessor for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, attention seems to have shifted to allies of the President in the South East, speculated in the media to be eying the presidential seat in 2023.
The search and scrutiny is also said to be extended to other geo political zones in the country, as President Muhammadu Buhari, is said to be preparing grounds to hand over to a “trusted and worthy successor” who would preserve some of his legacy programmes, such as the social investment programme, and other programmes of his administration, which has considerably uplifted the well being of Nigerians.
Also, emphasis would be placed on a sucessor who can hold the country together, acceptable to all Nigerians, both in the North and in the South, guarantee security of the nation, have a work plan to improve on the economy of the country, and consolidate on sucesses recorded in infrastructure development across the country.
A source told this newspaper that “The search is not limited to the South East, but across all the six geo political zones, and this is a clear indication, that the race on who succeeds Buhari is not limited to a particular zone.
“More importantly, a non corrupt president is key because you know the President would never hand over to a corrupt person.
Last week, APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Commitee CECPC, Secretary, John Akpanudoedehe, said the APC would present a consensus and aggreeable candidate that will emerge the presidential candidate of the ruling APC.
Among top APC chieftains in the South East speculated to be interested in the presidency include Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Minister of State for Education, Hon.Emeka Nwajiuba, former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and many others.
