Boss Mustapha adds his voice to those calling for a president of Igbo extraction come 2023

SECRETARY to the government of the federation Boss Mustapha has added his voice to the number of Nigerians who believe that the country's next president should come from the southeast geo-political zone.

President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure will end in 2023 and being a Fulani northern Muslim, it is expected that the next president will come from southern Nigeria. Since the return to democracy in 1999, the southwest has produced President Olusegun Obasanjo and the south-south President Goodluck Jonathan, so ideally, come 2023, the presidency should automatically go to the southeast.

It is believed that the zoning of the presidency to the southeast come 2023 would end all these secessionist clamouring among Nigeria's Igbos from the southeast. Some commentators have called on both the main opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to field presidential candidates of Igbo extraction in two years time.

Adding his voice to these calls, Mr Mustapha said Igbos have what it takes to lead the country as president. He added that the success story Ndigbo have recorded in merchandise, trade and entrepreneurship can be deployed in leading the country.

Mr Mustapha said: "I leave this with my Igbo brothers, the act of negotiation that you have perfected in dealing with merchandise, in dealing with commerce, in dealing with entrepreneurship, must be brought to bear on navigating your way to the presidency of Nigeria. Recall that in the country’s tripod arrangement, only Ndigbo of the southeast Nigeria have not produced the country’s number one man since independence in 1960.

"While the Hausas and Yorubas have all led at different times, the Igbos have been sidelined. In the geopolitical arrangement, the southeast despite its population and contributions to national development is yet to have a shot at the presidency.

"It is not however clear whether the 2023 election will provide the region the opportunity to be compensated over this age long injustice meted to it. With the national leader of APC, Bola Tinubu showing interest at the country’s top job, despite his southwest region ruling the country, it is not clear what the chances of the southeast will be.

"Top Igbo leaders, including former governor Orji Uzor Kalu have received calls to join in the journey for President Muhammadu Buhari’s succession."