In a related development, a political analyst, Mr Ahmed Nasiru, has, however, described as a setback the inability of Igbo political elite to inspire consensus around a viable candidate ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Nasiru, who made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday in Abuja, said there had been growing political agreement that it was only fair for the presidency to be zoned to the South-East.
“Even those, who in principle will prefer merit to the option of zoning, believe that if for no other reason than the sake of equity and fair play, someone of Igbo ethnicity should be president this time,” he added.
Nasiru said the problem remained the inability of Igbo leaders to speak and agree on a candidate that would be widely accepted by the totality of Nigerians.
He called on the Igbo elite to throw their weight behind a candidate who had shown widespread charity and benevolence, adding that such quality would attract the support of the people.
He, however, urged the south-eastern people to rally support for the candidacy of Senator Rochas Okorocha, adding that he had shown remarkable imagination and innovation in his declaration to run.
