Redeemed Evangelical Mission leader Reverend Okonkwo tells Ndigbo to forget about presidency for now

REDEEMED Evangelical Mission presiding bishop Reverend Mike Okonkwo has lashed out at Ndigbo claiming that they have got their priorities wrong by seeking the presidency of Nigeria rather than develop the southeast geo-political zone.

Reverend Okonkwo, who was the former president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) said instead of looking at5 the presidency, Igbos should develop the southeast for now.  He also noted that what Nigeria needs at this point was restructuring and not necessarily an Igbo presidency.

“I’m an Igbo man and as far as I’m concerned, I don’t believe in Igbos looking for presidency, the Igbos should shut their doors and develop the southeast. We are fighting for the wrong things.

“As far as I am concerned, this nation needs restructuring and the reason everyone is jostling for presidency is because of the juicy largesse that comes from there. Let every person go to his own region and develop it, make the centre less attractive, unbundle this centre," Reverend Okonkwo added.

Nigeria goes to the polls next year to elect a new president but this time around the presidency has been zoned to one of the three northern geo-political zones. Come 2023, however, it is believed that the southeast should produce the next president as the southwest and south-south have both produced presidents in Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Reverend Okonwko added: " Let people go, if you have anything to offer, go to your region and get it done. For me, I am not an advocate of Igbo presidency.

“No doubt, Igbos have been marginalised, I’m not taking that out as they have been deprived, but my point is let’s not use that as bait, as if we’re doing the Igbos a favour. We are all Nigerians and everyone is entitled to rule this country.

“When Jonathan became president of this country I was excited in the sense that for once, let it be said that a minority can rule this country. In fact, I was happy that he came on board but unfortunately, he played with it and this is where we are.

“So for me, Igbos should not be thinking of that. Let’s even be thinking of how to restructure the country but if God decides that he has something to do through an Igbo man within this country, in order for us to get where we are going, I don’t have any issues with that."