Leaders seek support for South-East 2023 presidential bid

Published January 6, 2021

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu , Umuahia
Political leaders from the South – East geo -political zone have appealed to Nigerians across board to support the emergence of a President from the zone come 2023 .
Leaders across party lines attended a meeting convened by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu , at Igbere , Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Tuesday and resolved to support any major political party , which zones its presidential ticket to the South -East.
This was contained in a five – point communiqué signed by Senator Pius Anyim and Chief Ben Kalu after the meeting .
The communiqué read in part , “ The people of the South – East have continued to demonstrate their commitment to the unity and development of the country .
“ Not only has the zone actively supported the emergency of Nigerian presidents of other geo – political zones ’ extraction , the people are also known to be major agents of development and heavy investors outside their zone and often next in population after the indigenes in any state of Nigeria.
“ We recommit ourselves to deepening the nation ’ s democracy as the surest way of fast -tracking national development and building an egalitarian society where no man is oppressed for the sake of his class , ethnic , religious or political affiliation and background .
“ We implore Nigerians across political , ethnic , religious and geopolitical divides and persuasion to support the people of the South – East geo -political zone to produce a Nigerian President of the South -East extraction as a mark of good faith and to promote justice and national harmony . ”
The communiqué added , “ For emphasis , we deem this very important in giving every part of the country a sense of belonging and in promoting national unity and solidarity . It is the loudest reassurance of equality of all parts and that the country indeed belongs to all members of the Nigerian Commonwealth.
“ Consequently , we implore all the political parties to cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 general elections to the South -East in the interest of justice , equity and national unity . ”
The communiqué further stated , “ To make good our demand and reciprocate such good faith , we have decided as a geo -political zone with substantial presence in every part of country to give a block vote and throw our full weight behind any major political party , particularly the All Progressive Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, that zones its presidential ticket to the South -East in 2023 .
“ We emphasize that what we seek is a Nigerian President of the South – East extraction , one who will work to further unite and develop every part of the country . Such a President will be President for all Nigerians irrespective of their political , ethnic and religious backgrounds .”
The meeting was attended by Anyim; a former Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeoch ; Deputy Minority Leader of the House Representatives, Tobi Okechukwu ; and the spokesman for the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu , among others .