To those who are familiar with me, l don’t shy away from taking positions, even unpopular ones, once I’m convinced about an issue. I may not be right but I’m open to superior arguments.
Some years ago, during the Jonathan era, l campaigned for an Igbo presidency. Interestingly, majority of those who shot down my proposal were from the South East. They were so enamoured with the Jonathan presidency. The rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward to today, as far as the 2023 presidency is concerned, l am irrevocably committed to a Yoruba presidency. Don’t ask me why because there is still time to go into details.
Who am l supporting? It’s also too early to ask that question because nobody, with the exception of pastor Tunde Bakare, has indicated interest. Besides, it may be too early to start campaigning, particularly when the current administration has not even spent one year of its second term.
However, my position is clear – on yoruba presidency l stand in respect of 2023. You are free to disagree with me. It’s a free world. But for now, I’m not even prepared for any long-winding argument on the issue. Time still dey.
l never said the igbos or any part of South cannot aspire. After all, an Ibibio or Edo person have never been president. It is good for our polity.
But you see, i’m a pragmatist. I did mention my previous campaigns for igbo presidency which many igbo shot down. As a matter of fact, how many igbos voted for Ojukwu when he contested for the presidency?
With the advent of Buhari, many igbos, because of their hatred for him, transferred the aggression to northerners with scathing hate speeches and to those in the South they claimed collaborated with the North to foist a Buhari presidency. I did caution them at that time that they seemed to have foreclosed an igbo presidential agenda with the way they were attacking other regions and their usual riposte was that they preferred Biafra to a Nigerian presidency. So, how does one market an igbo presidency in such circumstance? It’s not a matter of expediency but a matter of pragmatism. If you talk of expediency and equity, yes, igbos deserve the presidency but I’m a pragmatist. Can only igbo votes win presidency? After thoroughly abused and excoriated other regions for bring Buhari, how do you go back to these same people, seeking their support for the presidency? It won’t fly. This does not mean the igbos cannot contest but l doubt if such would fly, given the above reasons l stated. No need for emotionalism. That won’t win election. Let’s be pragmatic. However, it’s a free world. It would be equitable to have an igbo presidency but I’m a realist. For 2023, it’s a tough one. Just my view. You are free to disagree.