A chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha, has opined that the time is ripe for an Igbo president to emerge in Nigeria.
Obioha made the declaration while urging people of the South East to identify and start preparing the person to takeover the reigns of power after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure expires.
In a chat with The Sun, the former NADECO chieftain admonished Buhari to “buckle up” if he wants to seek a second term in 2019.
According to Obioha, “A convention has been rooted in Nigeria where the six geo-political zones have by affirmation evolved. I have got that perception that every zone must be allowed eight years to give a stewardship. I’m a firm supporter of that.
“I have also cautioned in certain circles we meet that the Igbo should set their eyes on 2023. We should pursue that as a strategy and prepare the person the Igbo should present. It might sound simplistic, but it will work if we put our minds to it.
“The important thing is the region. If eight years convention has been been agreed for by a region to demonstrate leadership, it doesn’t matter whether they split it into four, four by different persons.
“The core issue is the eight years for a region. That is the way we should address our minds.
“If Buhari doesn’t buckle up and change his way, I will never support him again.
“Like I said earlier, I don’t know whether he gets the reports of how Nigerians are feeling today.”
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