2023: Northern Elders Support Igbo Presidency

A group of Northern elders has backed the call for a South-Easterner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The group under the aegis of Forum of Northern Elders for Unity (FNEU) said that it is time for the South East to produce the next President.

In a communique on Tuesday, the forum Chairman, Alhaji Baba Mala, and Secretary Yau Aliyu said the elders have vowed to back only South East presidential candidates.

The forum said since President Buhari is from the North, it will only be fair and democratic to return power to the Southern region.

According to the forum, since the All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned its presidential ticket to the South, it also urged other parties to do the same.

It, therefore, called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to give its presidential ticket to Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi due to his visionary leadership and bridge-building capacity.

The forum, however, expressed readiness to support Ugwuanyi because of his antecedents as a leader with a passion for peace, progress, and unity of the country.

The communique reads: “We are from an advantaged region (North) with numerical voting strength to decide who becomes Nigeria’s president, thus we will continue to meet to work out solutions to douse the tension created due to the call for power tussle.

“It is now 22 years since Nigeria returned to democracy, and it’s unfair that the Igbo have not been considered for the position of President or Vice President.

“If PDP wants to win the 2023 presidential election, it should consider giving its ticket to Ugwuanyi, and we are prepared to work and ensure his victory at the polls.

“Ugwuanyi has a proven track record as one of the governors, who has worked passionately to protect lives and properties of Northerners and settlers, created employment for all, regardless of tribe and religion since he assumed office, a feat worthy of note.”