In preparation for the 2023 general elections, Osita Okechukwu, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria has reportedly stated that Buhari’s greatest legacy would be zoning the presidency to the South East.
Okechukwu reportedly made this known on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, “The two dominant political parties in our multiparty system, APC and PDP, hold the key to the restoration of Nigeria’s unity by observing the zoning convention.”
He stated, “It was that same zoning convention that midwifed our 4th Republic and we are waiting for the two to save our fledgling democracy.”
He explained that his adamant campaign for zoning was that political power has always rotated between the North and South.
He noted, “My major concern is the peace, unity, and prosperity of our dear fatherland.”
He maintained, “It was based on this premise, for instance, that patriots like former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Solomon Lar, Alhajis Abubakar Rimi, Umaru Shinkafi, Adamu Ciroma, Dr. Olusola Saraki, all of blessed memory, and a host of others shelved their self-interest and adopted the zoning convention, thereby saving our country.”
He added, “We need the same zoning convention to further stabilize Nigeria.”
Okechukwu however remarked, “Mine is to walk the path of persuasion, I know our great party, APC is not aversed to zoning. In fact, zoning was one of the factors that built national resolve and enhanced our victory in 2015.”
He submitted, “I have lived for 33 years in the North, I know Nigeria sufficiently well that every geopolitical zone has eminently qualified persons to preside over the country; therefore, none should be denied the opportunity. I also know that it is not the region, which produced the President that benefits more, so it is a soothing balm in nation building.”
Okechukwu affirmed, “Without being immodest, it is the turn of the southeast; our brothers in South West had eight years 1999-2007 and eight years of Vice President 2015-2023, while our South-South brothers had 2010-2015.”
He continued that, “Thus, going by equity, natural justice, and good conscience it is the turn of the South East.”
The DG laid emphasis on the fact, “Zoning to the South East will be the end of the civil war and end of IPOB. It will give Ndigbo renewed faith in Nigeria, a sense of belonging, and national loyalty. To a large extent, allowing a person from the South East to succeed President Buhari would be APC and Mr. President’s greatest legacy.”
He restated that, “Without self-immolation, Ndigbo are not only foremost patriots that live and invest in all nooks and crannies of this country; but also its borders on misinformation or misrepresentation to underrate Igbo population in Nigeria.”
He cited that, “For instance, taking Lagos city as the most populous city and Kano as the most populous state in the country, you will agree with me that Igbo constitute the second dominant inhabitants after the original indigenes in both Lagos metropolis and Kano State.”
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