The 2023 general election promises to an epic
political fray. Specifically, to the South East geopolitical zone, the clamour
for Igbo man or woman to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari is not being taken
lightly, not only with some traditional and the new media,
parading personalities, but some groups like Ohaneze coming up with names
they feel are eminently qualified.
Igbo, one of the nation’s major ethnic
nationalities are presently yearning for an opportunity to produce Nigeria's
president in 2023 general elections. From the religious to the socio-cultural
groups, professionals, educationists, traders, students and other 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.
The favourable argument is that 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 point to 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 was no victor nor vanquished, in addition to three ‘Rs’ programme
(Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation) which many Nigerians
especially the Igbo believe had been implemented more in breach, hence the
continuous youth restiveness in the South East region.
The above argument holds water about the Igbos
whenever their continuous denial of the opportunity to lead Nigeria comes to
the fore indicating that the Igboman has not been integrated back to the
society they are part of and contributes a lot in its building.
Before now, the Igbo-phobic argument mostly from
other sections of the country often labels that the average Southeaster as
Biafran who would favour the disintegration of Nigeria if allowed to
rule.
Thus every effort had always been geered towards
stopping the Igbo from climbing to Nigeria's pinnacle of power. But the
emergence of well-bred nationals in contemporary Nigeria has shown that the
southeast is replete with individuals capable of steering the Nigeria's ship of
state.
From Abia to Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu through Imo
states, some of these notable personalities serving are have already become
household names being considered 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 re-elected 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, wherein
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, oppositions 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 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 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 link 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 2023 PDP presidential primary. Umahi, a civil
engineer by profession, is currently making headline 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.