As the race for 2023 heats up for who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide says the northern Nigeria remains the kingmaker and decider with its large population, but the group is pleading with Arewa to cede the presidency to the Igbos.
Secretary General of the Ohaneaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro made this declaration in Kaduna Monday while interfacing with the leadership of Arewa Consultative Youth Forum led by Yerima Shettima.
Isiguzoro said the body came to interface with the North and meet with stakeholders as against abusive languages in the media. Isiguzoro said the old relationship between late Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello needed to be rekindled.
He stressed that 2023 must be about competency, and Igbos have a lot of citizens who are highly competent and committed. The Igbos he added believe in one Nigeria and would work towards that as they have 2.3 trillion naira worth of investment across Northern Nigeria. He said the Ohaneze has mapped out 10 billion naira to support whoever emerges Igbo presidential candidate come 2023.
Responding, Yerima Shettima decried the activities of groups such as IPOB which he said has painted the Igbo race in bad light, asserting that he has always been a pan Nigeria and advocate of democratic leadership in Nigeria.
He assured that it is good to sit with Igbos and talk as 2023 approaches and whichever way the pendulum swings, we must remain together, promising to consult further.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said it will mobilise for any Igbo man who emerges as a presidential candidate come 2023 from any geopolitical zone irrespective of political party.
