Maduako Igbokwe l Sunday, February 07, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – The National Forum for South East Presidency (NFSEP), has urged other geo-political zones in country to support the zone to produce next president of Nigeria in order to help erase the memory of civil war and feeling of marginalisation.
The group is a coalition of people , advocating for emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023. NFSEP also appealed to all political parties in the country to field South-easterners as candidates in the 2023 presidential poll, so that a south-easterner will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure is expected to end in 2023.
According to the group that would whittle the power and existence of secessionist groups in the region. The President of the coalition, Dr Patrick Enuneku, disclosed this at the group’s zonal meeting and award presentations held at Enugu, Enugu state. He said that people of the zone believe strongly in unity and progress of the country and had supported other geopolitical zones to produce president.
According to Enuneku, with the President of Igbo extraction, it would be easier for the country to witness massive socioeconomic development, national integration, overcome insecurity, recession and secessionists agitations other challenges due to the intellectual power peaceful disposition of igbo people.
Earlier, the Zonal Chairman of NFSEP, Hon. Chinedu Chibuzo Ukwu, said that the major objective of the meeting was to brainstorm on ways forward for the people of the zone in Nigeria politics as well as to honour some illustrious sons and daughters of the zone with awards, for their contributions towards championing the cause of equity, fairness and justice in the Nigerian federation.
“This struggle is to demand that a South Easterner becomes the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces come June 2023 irrespective of party affiliation. It is not greed neither is it asking for the impossible nor selfishness. It is in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice. Going by the history of this country, it is clear and non negotiable that it is the turn of the South Eastern states to become the President,” he added.
Among the awardees were Prof. Peter Umeadi, a presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); Rt. Hon. Francis Nwaifuru, the Speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly; Senator Joseph Ogba; Lady Juliet Anaeme; Rt. Hon. Enebe Cletus Onyekwelu; and Engr. Albert Agulanna.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Peter Umeadi, represented by Hon. Chinedu Ukachukwu, pledged to continue to contribute for the betterment of humanity.
“Upon receipt of this award my message to the members of the National Forum for South East Presidency (NFSEP) is to stand up and respect the ballots. We should raise our voices and call for and support free and fair elections, as the only viable way to sustainable development in a democratic federal republic of Nigeria. Votes cast at elections should be respected, counted and announced as cast. The tally from the voting booths should reflect the will of the people as expressed in the ballot boxes across the relevant voting constituencies,” he said.
The group also recognized the APGA presidential aspirant, Professor Peter Umeadi as the Patron of NFSEP for Southeast zone.
