Make a categorical statement on Igbo Presidency in 2023, Ohanaeze Ndigbo tells Buhari

ABUJA, Nigeria – Ohanaeze Ndigbo has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to make a categorical statement on Igbo Presidency in 2023 in the wake of conflicting signal on the issue. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing led by the Acting National Leader, Kingsley Dozie Lawrence made the request during a reception by the president in Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari had through his new Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari at a function in Awka called on Igbos to support his second term bid so that they will have opportunity to run as president under the All Progressive Congress in 2023.

But at another function in the South South, Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola told the Yorubas that it would be the turn of a Yoruba man to be President of Nigeria in 2023 if they support Buhari.

Few months later, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the palace of the Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi 111, confirmed what Fashola had earlier said when he noted that it is the turn of Yoruba to be President in 2023 if they work for Buhari in 2019.

“It is good to pay homage to the palace. I greet you the king, I greet the Alaafin of Oyo and other traditional rulers here present. Anytime I come to the Kabiesi either here or in Abuja, I say it is home coming,” he said.

“The 2019 general elections is our own. We are not looking at the 2019 but 2023. If we get it in 2019, Yoruba will get it in 2023. Because if we don’t get it in 2019, we may not get it in 2023 and it may take a very long time to get it. We need to look at tomorrow and not because of today. What we are doing now is for tomorrow and not for today,” he said.

But speaking during a reception, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing led by the Acting National Leader, Kingsley Dozie Lawrence told Buhari in the wake of conflicting signal to make a categorical statement on the issue.

‘‘We, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, are partners-in-progress in the Nigerian Project and will extend hands of partnership to any administration that guarantees the interest and welfare of Ndigbo. There’s no gainsaying the fact that President Buhari’s administration has impacted the Igbos in some positive ways, but there are still areas the Igbos need more impacts,’’ he said.

The Youth leader, therefore, appealed to the President to make a categorical statement on the issue of Igbo Presidency in 2023, in addition to initiating a process for the creation of an additional State in the South-East, among others.

While addressing the youths, President Buhari described Nigerian youths as very active and critically important in the Nigerian project.

‘‘Youths are very virile and active. A greater part of the Nigerian population is made up of youths. They must always be a factor at all times. Youths must begin to groom themselves for the leadership of Nigeria.

‘‘I said this to the leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students yesterday (Thursday) – sooner than later we will leave the stage and you will takeover. You have to equip yourselves properly,’’ he said.

President Buhari welcomed the group for appreciating his administration’s effort in providing the much-needed infrastructure across the country and for ensuring that Nigerians celebrated the Yuletide with the availability and price stability of petroleum products.

‘‘I am glad you appreciate government’s efforts. That is why we are here to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians and on infrastructure, We will ensure that the resources of Nigeria work for Nigerians,’’ he said.

On the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the President expressed the hope that ‘‘good reason will prevail’’ in the on-going talks between the Federal Government and representatives of the union.