Prominent elders from Igbo extraction under the aegis of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum (IECF) is insisting that the South East geopolitical zone of the country be allowed to produce the President in 2023.
The forum also warned that it will sanction any igbo who accept to be running mate to anybody outside the south east zone of the country.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Chairman of the Forum and former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said both the South South and South West are supporting a Nigeria President from the Igbo extraction for the sake of equity, justice and fairness as they are the region with the lowest term of service since Nigeria gained its independence.
He said the South East occupied this position for only 6 months under Gen J. T. U Aguiyi Ironsi, and has not come close to it since the current political dispensation that started in 1999.
Ezeife however urged political parties to zone the Presidency to the South East in order to give people of the area a sense of belonging and reverse actions capable of pushing the Igbos out of the country.
According to the Igbo leader, any political party that does otherwise will not get votes from the south and will lose the 2023 Presidency.
Secretary of IECF, Prof Charles Nwekeaku, said its either the South East be given the chance to produce the next president or be left alone.
Prof Nwekeaku said: “the Igbos will not take it likely with any of our sons and daughters who accept to be running mates to any person outside the southeast zone in 2023.
“It is either we are allowed to produce the president in 2023 to change the appalling narrative of continued decay, poverty, insecurity, poor governance, corruption and maladministration in Nigeria or out of it.
“No half measure, as serious sanctions will be visited on any Igbo man or woman that sabotages this noble and patriotic decision of our people to provide for Nigeria a credible, visionary and creative president.
“Legally, morally and strategically, it is the turn of the South East to produce the next president of the country as the other zones have been given the opportunity to serve Nigeria in that capacity” he stated.
Personalities present at the briefing were; the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (FCT chapter), Dr. Kingsley Nkonye; a former Minister of Education, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ibe Nwosu, and several Igbo leaders and traditional title holders.
