Tobias Sylvester
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has slammed the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, for saying that Northerners will not vote for anyone from the South-East in the 2023 general election.
Kwankwaso Says South-East Was Politically Immature
KanyiDaily recalls that the former Kano Governor had said that the South-East was politically immature to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023.
He said the South-East has lost across major political fronts, stressing that the only hope to the realization of its aspiration is with his party.
Kwankwaso said the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi would have to be his running mate and not the other way around.
He also claimed that Labour Party’s support is mainly from the South-East and not the entire country, stressing that Northerners won’t vote for anyone from the region.
Ohanaeze Says Kwankwaso Is Not Presidential Material
In a statement on Monday, Ohanaeze’s National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia said Kwankwaso does not have the competence to assess the Igbo, stressing that he is not a presidential material.
Ohanaeze stated that Ndigbo was long prepared for the presidency of the country, insisting that any person that had done well in business will do well in any other venture.
Ogbonnia stated that injustices and conspiracy of the political elite had denied Igbo opportunity to rule the country before now.
He insisted that the Igbo remained part of the country’s best in politics, technology, economy, sports, education and several other fields and have continued to contribute to the success of every administration in the country.
Ogbonnia explained that the long hatred shown to Ndigbo by the rest of the country had not dwarfed their successes in various endeavours.
He stressed that had the people of the zone received as much support as other zones had received, it would be difficult for any section of the country to compete with it.
“Kwankwaso’s description is unfortunate. He does not know Igbo and lacks the capacity to assess its people. Such a comment is not expected of a presidential candidate. It is not expected of a candidate of a political party.
“I do not think he has evidence to back his position because as far as I know, Igbo have been the pillar that has helped this country to survive so far. He should know that any person who can do well in business and live in any part of the country can succeed as president. Igbo understand this country and can do better if given the opportunity.
“Kwankwaso cannot be said to be the best material the country can have when issues of the presidency are discussed. Except for our parochial nature and the kind of politics we have in Nigeria, I do not think that our competence should be in doubt at any time.
“So, we advise him to come off that mindset and pursue issues that will help this country come out of its present quagmire. It is not the Igbo that put the country in its present mess,” he said.
KanyiDaily recalls that Rabiu Kwankwaso also claimed that the South-East will miss a golden opportunity if Peter Obi is not his running mate in the 2023 general election.
