A former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, has urged Igbos to negotiate with other regions of Nigeria in other to grab the presidency in 2023.
Bibian Anekwe News reports that there have been calls from several groups including Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, for the south-east to produce Nigeria’s next president.
Delivering a lecture at the 6th World Igbo Summit at Gregory University, Uturu, Abia state on Friday, Anyim said Igbo presidency is achievable if approached collectively.
Anyim, a former secretary to the government of the federation under former-President Goodluck Jonathan, said it is time for Igbos to produce the next president.
He, however, urged those calling for Igbo presidency in 2023 to put in more effort to achieve it.
Anyim Pius said: “It is my opinion that the Igbos of the south-east geo-political zone is in continuous search of a system, or if you like, a polity that guarantees and secures his social, political and economic interest based on equality of citizenship, equity and justice. I make bold to say that the Igbos of the south-east geo-political zone can find this in Nigeria.
“The journey to building an equitable society is usually challenging and rough, but many nations have arrived safely from this journey. It is, therefore, my position that those who posit restructuring have a point but should work harder to secure national consensus to make it possible.
“Also those who advocate for president of Nigeria of south-east extraction should diligently and boldly pursue it for the time has come, and the time is now. It is, therefore, my considered view that the present-day political interest of the Igbos of the south-east geo-political zone is to attain the presidency of Nigeria come 2023.”
According to the former SGF, Igbo presidency is neither an entitlement nor a gift.
He said it must be one of friendship and not disdain or disrespect.
“It must show our willingness to enter into an enduring and lasting relationship for long term interest of all the parties,” he said.
