2023: Settle Azikwe, Okpara for their sacrifices to Nigeria – Ibegbu

Mazi Chuks Ibegbu, a former spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on stakeholders in Nigeria to ensure an Igbo becomes President Buhari’s successor in 2023.

The Ohanaeze chieftain made the call in a statement forwarded to DAILY POST on Monday, on the backdrops of the quest by the people of the southeast and entire Igbo nation to produce Buhari’s successor come 2023.

Ibegbu insisted that it is time to settle late ceremonial President of the country, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and former Premier of Eastern Region, late Michael Okpara for their sacrifices to the unity and sustenance of the corporate existence of the nation, just as it settled former Prime minister, Ahmadu Bello and Tafewa Balewa, through Shehu Shagari, Umaru Musa Yaradua and Muhammadu Buhari as the nation’s Presidents.

Ibegbu also pointed that Nigeria settled late sages, Obafemi Awolowo and Herbert Macaulay, through Olusegun Obasanjo and Ernest Shonekan as Presidents of the country.

He said the late Dappa Biriye and Dr. Melford Okilo were settled through Dr. Goodluck Ebere Jonathan and insisted that it is now time to settle late Azikwe and Okpara, by collectively and equitably rallying round the Igbo nation to occupy the presidential seat of Nigeria.

The ex-spokesman of the Igbo body maintained that the Nigeria project will be more stable through equitable power distribution in 2023.

Ibegbu also asked presidential aspirants of Igbo extraction to begin to declare their interest but disclosed that Igbo leaders had commenced nationwide tours to talk to stakeholders all over the country to achieve the Nigeria President of Igbo extraction.

In another Development, An Igbo group, Nzuko Ndigbo has noted that the group and Ndigbo will forgive whatever shortcomings and sins of President Muhammadu Buhari if he supports and ensures an Igbo succeeds him in 2023.

The group also denied saying that Buhari is an unpatriotic Nigerian but noted that the President appeared to favour Niger more than Nigeria because he has roots there.

In a press release on Monday, Nzuko Ndigbo said Buhari, though a disciplined man, unfortunately, surrounded himself with some unpatriotic elements.

The organization further noted that the legacy Buhari can give Nigerians is to make an Igbo succeed him.