As politicians strategise on which geo-political zone will produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor, Eastern Union (EU), a socio-political pressure group for the Old Eastern Region, has commenced consultations to choose a suitable presidential candidate of Igbo extraction.
So far, the union has asked its members, supporters and associates to commence suggesting capable people among the political and business elite, who the cap would fit.
Also, the group has commenced the campaign for the selection and packaging of an Igbo presidential candidate through the social media, which is already generating a lot of interests among the general public.
NEXT EDITION gathered exclusively that already, about 14 prominent Igbo politicians have been listed, who may fit into the position, while more names are expected to come up as the campaign continues.
So far, some of the names that have cropped up included Mr. Martin Onovo, who flew the flag of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 presidential election and Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, a long-time member of the senate, who had served two terms as Deputy Senate President.
Others are Kingsley Moghalu and Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, who were presidential candidates in the 2019 election, as well as Prof. Pat Utomi, a 2019 governorship candidate in Delta State in the last election.
Also included in the list, according to an EU top source, are former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, and Dr. Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election.
Senate Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate Minority Leader, is among those said to be under consideration, as well as former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, now a senator, even as former Imo State governor, Achike Udenwa, made the list.
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Others are seasoned politician, Senator Hope Uzodinma; former Governor Ogbonnaya Onu, who has been in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet as Minister of Science and Technology since 2015.
Also tipped is Dr. Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra State, a former senator, who has also been in Buhari’s cabinet as Minister of Labour and Productivity.
When contacted, Mr. Charles Anike, EU National President, told NEXT EDITION that indeed his organisation has started the move following the seeming lack of activities among the Igbo political leaders as regards the 2023 presidency, which he said should be the turn of Ndigbo.
According to him, “We at the Eastern Union have started our consultations and trying to extend our search and consultations to other Igbos outside the South-East. We have created some platforms, both on the social media and more, to enable us reach out and open up opportunities.
“Even if the people of South East and Ndigbo have genuine case of their agitation, a lot still needs to be done. They must be ready to form alliances and compromises across the country. Many other tribes and zones will also give one reason or the other why they should clinch the number one seat.
“A lot of collaborations, alliances and compromises are necessary for any group or zone that must produce the President come 2023. That is why the Eastern Union decided to extend the search and opportunity to other Igbos in the South-South and that is one of our strategies.”
Anike, however, noted that 2023 presidency is really very open for grabs by any geo-political zone, even as he maintained that to the best of his knowledge, the leaders of the South-East have not adequately been preparing towards the 2023 presidency.
This, according to him, could be traced to the fact that most Igbo still believe that Abubakar Atiku/Peter Obi Presidency might be restored at the Supreme Court, even as he stressed that “there is absolutely nothing wrong in anybody or group getting themselves prepared for any eventuality.
“By now, one would have expected Ndigbo to be reaching an agreement for a consensus candidate. Ndigbo have vehemently refused to review their political strategies, which have hitherto not favoured them in the Nigeria political chess game.
“That same wrong idea of coming late and still wanting to be at the forefront is still their way and undoing.”
Anike, who refused to say categorically the people so far listed, said it was premature to do so, adding that more names would still come in as Ndigbo have a lot of capable hands both at home and abroad, who could do the job.
He said his organization would reach out to other Igbo groups and personalities in its determination not to leave any stone unturned.
