Although 2023 general election still far, clamour for Igbo man or woman from South East geopolitical zone to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari has intensified, with some traditional and the new media, showcasing interesting personalities in focus. OKECHUKWU ONUEGBU writes on their chances
Igbo, one of the nation’s major ethnic nationalities are presently yearning for an opportunity to produce a president in 2023 general elections. From the religious to the socio-cultural groups, professionals, educationists, traders, students and other interesting people from the zone, the call for other tribes and zones to allow for an Igbo to lead the country for four or eight years (two tenure) are said to be hinged on equity, justice and fair play.
Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the Igbo has not had the opportunity to steer the ship apart from Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was a ceremonial president in 1960 to 1966; Prince Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu (Acting President as at when the military struck in 1966), and the first military Head of State, Johnson Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi (January to July 1966). Other leaders of the country from military to civilian have been ten (10) Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba (3), and Ijaw (one).
Also, promoters of Nigerian presidency of Igbo extraction are pointing at the fact that at the end of 30 months Biafra/Nigeria Civil war (which took place between 1967 to 1970), Federal government proclaimed that there were no victor nor vanquished, in addition to three ‘Rs’ programme (Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation) which analysts believed had not been met, hence the continuous youth restiveness in the South East region. They were of the view that continuous denial of opportunity to lead shows that they had not been accepted back to the society they are part and possibly contribute in its building.
From Abia to Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu through Imo states, some notable personalities being considered or promoted as qualified candidate for the number one seat are Senator Anayo Okorocha, Mr Peter Obi, Chief Peter Umeadi, Chief Ogbonnia Onu, Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu, and Senator Chris Ngige. Others are Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Ike Ekweramadu and Engr. Dave Umahi and others likely to be discovered as the pendulum continues to time ticks on. Some of these names have continued to trend on the traditional and new media even when some have not directly or indirectly declared interest to run.
Mr Peter Obi:
Obi, who governed Anambra state between 2006 to 2014, under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is a businessman. His first political fortune was in 2006 when he through the Supreme Court judgement dislodged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government in power, Dr Chris Ngige. Obi while in power as governor was appointed Economic Adviser to the then President Goodluck Jonathan. At end of his tenure, he officially decamped to PDP, and also in 2019 general election, features as the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP. Although he had not made public his intention to run for 2023 presidential poll, there is permutation that Obi would surely be on the ballot. Currently, he makes public presentations and tours nationwide including gifting to schools, religious institutions and others especially during the COVID-19. Obi may spring surprises if given ticket by PDP delegates in their party primaries. Those routing for him say he has the ability to serve Nigeria having served the nation at different capacities including as former Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum. Expectedly, some political support groups have started springing up urging support for him even though he had not officially or unofficially declared interest to run. However, EndSARS protest seemed to have reinforced some ugly incidents that occurred during his tenure as governor. It was during his tenure that about 37 corpses whose identities and cause of death remain mysterious till date were found at Ezu River, a boundary between Anambra and Enugu state. It was also his administration that ordered demolition of Upper Class hotel owned by one Chief Bonaventure Mokwe, a victim of SARS operation, who is currently seeking for justice. Similarly, Obi’s political face-off with his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, and other All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) stakeholders of leading to his exit from the party, may still germinate at the course of election as it happened in 2019. The allegations against him, if unattended to, could make or mar his chances of clinching PDP presidential ticket and the main election come 2023.
Senator Rochas Anayo Okorocha:
Okorocha, a two term governor of Imo state, a seat he won at first under APGA, and after the registration of All Progressives Congress (APC), he led an APGA faction loyal to him to merger with the new party; contested and was reelected under APC. The politician, whose philanthropy has always been called to question, currently represents Imo West at 9th Senate. His followers claim that his humanitarian services including education scholarship has reached all parts of the country. Okorocha is a force to reckon with in APC and Nigerian politics. So, if he succeeds in securing the APC ticket, the main election may be easy for him to win especially in the north where most beneficiaries of his scholarship awards are domiciled. What could work against the former governor, however, are not unconnected with his administration as governor. His case files are said to be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which could make it possible for oppositions to frustrate his presidential ambition if he dares to voice out his ambition. Notwithstanding, there are people and groups across the country championing his presidential course although he was yet to throw his heart in the ring.
Chief Ogbonnaya Onu:
Onu, from Ebonyi state was governor of Abia state between January 1992 to November 1993 when Ebonyi was still in Abia state. His tenure was said to have attracted several development strides in the state. The current Minister of Science and Technology, was first presidential flag bearer of the All Peoples Party (APP), which was later known as the All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP), one of the parties to the merger that gave birth to the present ruling APC. In fact Onu was the last chairman of the ANPP before it was collapsed into the All Progressive Congress (APC). He has not made public his intention to contest the 2023 presidential poll, but people some parts of the country have started making comments about his good qualities to which they have begun to sell to other parts of the country. If at last he decides to run, APC would likely be his platform. But his chances may be obscured if the rumour that a national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has an eye on the seat becomes a reality. Onu’s political history portrays him as one whose loyalty is not in doubt amongst the power brokers in the country, which some argue could be why he collapsed his presidential aspiration in 1999 to support Chief Olu Falae of Alliance for Democracy (AD) upon merge with APP.
Chief Peter Umeadi:
Umeadi, a retired Chief Judge of Anambra state, is a visiting Professor of Law at University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). He was the Tribunal Chairman, which in 2007 sacked the PDP led governor of Edo state, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor and declared Adams Oshiomhole of the then ACN as winner. He also steered other amazing judgements in Nigerian legal and political history nationwide including his judgement on May 18, 2017, where in he sacked the local government caretaker chairmen and councillors appointed by Governor Willie Obiano, and ordered the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANAMSIEC) to conduct local government election in the state within 90 days of the judgment, in line with section 64(1) of the Local Government law of Anambra State (as amended). In 2017, Umeadi was appointed into the governing board of World Jurist Association (WJA). He has shown interest to run for Presidency in 2023 under APGA and has been getting support groups and endorsement across the federation. He probably has the quality and capacity to clinch APGA ticket for 2023 presidential poll. Umeadi’s ambition may suffer a setback if his party refuses to mend fences with its members and stakeholders alleging compromise, extortion, corruption, shortchange and others from leadership and other high profile individuals in APGA in the last general election.
Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu:
Uzor-Kalu, a two term former governor of Abia state, currently represents Abia North at the Senate, where he equally serves as Senate Majority Whip and other portfolios. The APC Senator has contested for the presidential seat under his former political parties, Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The businessman surely has connections across the country too but to secure the APC presidential ticket may be a bit difficult if Tinubu prominent leader of the party, eventually makes open his intention to go for it. Again, opposition to his political ambitions may equally revive or pursue fresh cases against him at EFCC. Like few others, interested groups and persons are currently championing for relaxation of his presidential ambition.
Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige:
Ngige, a two term minister and former governor of Anambra state, represented Anambra Central district at the senate in 2011 to 2015 under the defunct ACN. Although it is not yet clear if the medical doctor turned politician has an eye on either Anambra 2021 gubernatorial poll or 2023 presidential election, he remains a relevant stakeholder in the APC at both levels. He has made headlines on the subject matter at different time since the inception of Buhari second term victory. Ngige, now popularly called the VI Boy (Victoria Island Boy) , had referred to Hon Faleke of the House of Representatives as a Mushin Boy during a public hearing of the National Assembly. His supporters also say he has the capacity and ability to run for the seat although opposition especially within his party could use his family success stories since inception of this administration and others to run him down politically.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu:
Ekweremadu, one of the longest serving senators in the country, has been in the Senate since 2003 representing Enugu West. The three times Deputy Senate President, who is a legal practitioner however may be interested in governing Enugu state in 2023 or near future yet canvassers for him to emerge as PDP Presidential hopeful are also on the prowl. Those drumming support for him say he, no doubt, has the capacity and ability to influence decisions in his party and probably across Nigeria as 2023 draws closer. However, opposition either from the zone or the party could use his long term stay in senate and other issues to stop him from emerging as PDP flag bearer come 2023.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe:
Abaribe, the current Senate Minority Leader, is a former Deputy Governor of Abia state. He was first elected to represent Abia South in 2007 after his exit as deputy governor. His sour relationship with his ex boss, then Governor Orji Uzor-Kalu had led to a botched tenure. As one of the outspoken senators, the former lecturer was in June 2018 arrested over alleged links to the disbanded Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) having been a surety to leader of the group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In January 2020, he called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign due to alarming insecurity in the country. The call which was countered by the ruling APC even in his state are among many factors projecting him as a presidential material. But some say the same factors may mar his chances, particularly, his role in realising Nnamdi Kanu and other unforeseen circumstances may stand against him in the 2023 poll.
David Nweze Umahi:
Fondly addressed as Dave, the governor of Ebonyi state is likely to pull weight in the 2023 PDP presidential primary. Umahi, a civil engineer by profession, is currently making headlines over an alleged plan to dump PDP to APC along with PDP dominated members of Ebonyi state House of Assembly if the party refuses to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to Igbo nation. He has already denounced the allegations of a plan to leave PDP. His brother, Austin Umahi is the zonal Chairman of PDP. The administration of Umahi is said to be repositioning Ebonyi state mostly in roads and infrastructural development. As a former Deputy governor and PDP Ebonyi state chairman, Umahi has the key and strategies like other would-be aspirants of PDP or any party he decides to join tomorrow. But allegations of human rights abuses characterises Ebonyi state in his tenure may bring hindrances once he hands over power in 2023.
