An elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai says the North is ready and willing to support Igbo presidency in 2023.
He noted that the same could not, however, be said for the South-West geopolitical zone.
According to Vanguard, the Kano-based nonagenarian disclosed these during an appearance on a television programme on Tuesday.
Yakasai said that while he personally would love to see an Igbo president, the South-East zone should remember that power is not served on a platter.
He said it was important for leaders of the zone to reach out to their counterparts in other zones of the country, especially the South-West, if the dream must come to fruition.
“I have a lot of sympathies for the Igbos as far as producing a president for Nigeria is concerned. The South-West, South-South and the North have all tasted it but the South East has not tasted the presidency.
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“However, nobody gives political power to anybody. You have to fight for it. So, I expect the South East to reach out to other sections of the country for votes. By their fortune or misfortune, the South East is landlocked, not only in terms of the seas but also in its relationship with other people in the country.
“We, in the north, don’t have any problem with the Igbo. The Igbo are in every village in the north doing business. The Yoruba are more skeptical of the Igbo, so they (Igbo) should reach out to them for 2023 presidency.
“The Igbo should go out, seek the understanding of fellow Nigerians to support their aspiration for the Presidency but should not threaten or antagonise people. They should persuade them to vote for you,” Yakasai said.