Former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha says Ndigbo is justified to expect to produce the president in 2023 but must understand that power is not given.
He said that the South-East must reach out to other geopolitical zones and build bridges if the presidency must come to the zone in 2023.
“It is very justifiable for the Igbo to demand that presidential ticket be zoned to the Southeast based on the governing of this nation for many years especially under our democratic dispensation. When you look at the formation of the presidency and how it has been over the years, the South-South has given a shot at the presidency, likewise the Southwest, but the Southeast has not.
“The situation is a statement of fact to be pushed on, however, the Igbo must also understand that power is not given. They have to reach out to other sections of the country and lobby to convince others that they should be allowed to produce the president. It is not just folding our hands and demanding for the ticket based on sentiment,” Okorocha told Saturday Sun.
The Imo West senator noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has yet to make its decision known on whether to zone the presidency or not.
Okorocha said, “As far as I am concerned, APC has not come up with any zoning arrangement yet.
“However, there is what we call natural zoning in the country.
“What it means is power rotating between the North and the South.
“It is not like a convention, but now looks more like a tradition we have practiced over the years for power to always shift between the two sections.
“It is good to point out that there has never been any agreement in the South or North to micro zone the power when it comes to the section.
“Nigeria still operates on the basis of the two sections.
“I am however, sure that at the appropriate time, our party, the APC will make a pronouncement on which zone will produce the 2023 presidential candidate.”
Read Also: Unknown attackers behead man in Malian town of Fana