The Pan Niger Delta Forum PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere have declared their support for a president of South-East extraction in 2023.
The groups have called on Nigerians to rally support for a South-East president, adding that a president of Igbo extraction will give the people of South-East a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project.
The socio-cultural groups took the collective decision at the Greater Nigeria Conference held in Abuja on Monday with the theme “Together We Can”
The event was to discuss the challenges facing Nigeria with a view to proffering solutions and also to seek the buy-in of other well-meaning Nigerians who believe in Equity, fairness and inclusion to give the Igbo a chance to produce the next Nigerian president.
The Chairman of the Greater Nigeria Conference, Dr Ekwesilieze Nwodo and Senator Chris Anyanwu, President Nzuko Umunna, also stressed the need for the emergence of a president of South-East extraction.
According to them, South East has credible and qualified candidates who understand the problem of Nigeria and can provide workable solutions to the problems
The South East Presidential Aspirants irrespective of their party affiliations, or individual differences, came together for the first time to join hands to ensure that the South East produces the next president. The Presidential hopefuls used the opportunity to present their manifesto to Nigerians.
The Presidential Aspirants from the South East are Senator Pius Anyim, Peter Obi, Dave Umahi, Chris Ngige, Rochas Okorocha, Kingsley Moghalu, Ogbonnaya Onu, Peter Umeadi, Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Orji Uzor Kalu, Sam Ohuabunwa, Emeka Nwajiuba and Caroline Nwosu.
The support and buy-in of other stakeholders for a President of South-East extraction come 2023 is a strong indication that justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect and inclusiveness are gaining ground as solutions to Nigeria’s problem, especially the self-determination agitation. The coming together of all the South East Presidential Aspirants irrespective of party affiliations is also a boost to the collective quest for a South-East Presidency.