An elder statesman and former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, says an Igbo presidency in 2023 is a requirement for continued peaceful coexistence of the country.
Ezeife stated this while reacting to insinuations that the Northern part of the country is plotting to retain power after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term.
According to the elder statesman, the South East deserves support to produce the president in 2023 in the spirit of equity and fairness.
He said it would be “dangerous” for the geopolitical zone to be denied a realistic shot at the presidency.
“There will be no Igbo citizenship of Nigeria if in 2023, the South East is not given serious chance to produce the president of this country,” he told Saturday Sun.
“After being given a serious chance and we could not make it, that could be understood but if anybody begins to say that there is no chance in 2023, that will be very dangerous.”
However, he said continues to believe in one Nigeria.
Ezeife said, “For very good reasons, especially being an economist, I believe in one Nigeria. I prefer one Nigeria.
“Therefore, I believe that instead of having miniature countries called Nigeria, I prefer that Nigeria is a big country where there is peace and where the market is as large as it is and where individuals are at peace with one another.
“This is what I am thinking. In such a situation, nobody loses. The way I am thinking is the same way other Igbo are thinking about it; they crave for a peaceful large area.”
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