Politicians from the South-East region of Nigeria on Tuesday, submitted that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should pick their 2023 presidential candidate from the region.
According to the politicians who spoke under the auspices of South-East Political Leaders, their demand is based on the need for fairness and justice to the region.
They made their demand known in a five-point communique issued at the end of their meeting which held at the home of Senator Orji Kalu in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
As part of their demands, they want political parties “to cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 general election to the southeast,” noting that the move is “in the interest of justice, equity and national unity.”
The communique according to NAN which was read to newsmen by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, added that “Such a president will be president of all Nigerians, irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious backgrounds.”
“Such a president would ensure that all citizens and every part of the country is given a sense of belonging and treated with utmost sense of justice.”
The political leaders who also reiterated their commitment to the unity of Nigeria, promised that any party that cedes its 2023 presidential ticket to the region will enjoy massive support and bloc voting from the indigbo people.
Bibian Anekwe News understands that prominent politicians from the region including ex-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, House of Rep Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Toby Okechukwu were all in attendance.
Others at the meeting were Sen. Michael Nnachi, ex-Minister of State for Environment, Chuka Odom, ex-Speakers of Abia House of Assembly, Stanley Ohajuruka and Chikwendu Kalu, National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP) Chekwas Okorie, amongst others.
Meanwhile, a former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, has revealed that the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) agreed in 2013 that a southerner will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
