Senator Ben Obi has urged political parties in Nigeria, especially the PDP and APC to zone the next presidential ticket to the South-east zone for fairness and equity.
Obi made this demand in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Monday, during the official launch and grand opening of Global Movement for Igbo Presidency 2023. He noted that it was only once, 54 years ago that an Igbo man ruled the nation.
“Power is not given or served, it is taken. The last time Igbo ruled this nation was during the military regime, 54 years ago, through late General Aguiyi Ironsi, an administration that lasted for just 194 days.
“For this project of Igbo Presidency to be possible, certain variables must be put in place. All political parties, especially the ruling parties; APC and PDP must zone their presidential tickets to the South-east.”
He added that for Igbo presidency to be possible come 2023, Igbo politicians must reach out to other zones for support.
On his part, former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, disclosed that the initiator of the Global Movement for Igbo Presidency was Comrade Kennedy Iyere who hails from Edo State and enthused, “it appears God in heaven is saying it is time for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.”
Dr Ezeife charged Igbo people to start believing more in the cause of Igbo president come 2023, pointing out that other Nigerians seem to believe in Igbo president more than the Igbo’s themselves.
“Igbos are the development agents of Nigeria. We make Nigeria look more like a nation. We believe culturally in developing any part of the world we find ourselves in. Ebe-onye-bi-ka-ona-awachi (wherever a man finds himself that he protects or makes his abode)
“We deserve to be given a chance and I am glad that our people in diaspora and from other tribes unanimously agree that an Igbo president is what Nigeria needs to take the next strides towards development,” he said.
Other speakers were; Dr Tanko Yinusa, National Chairman of National Conscience Party and the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in UK, Dr Nnanna Igwe.