By CHARLES IWUOHA

Two chieftains of Ohanaeze Ndigbo have insisted on the Presidency and vehemently reject any zoning of the Vice Presidential slot to the South-East region in the 2023 general elections. They are Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, and Ohnaeze factional Deputy President-General, Uche Okwukwu.

Ibegbu had recently urged potential presidential candidates from the North to support Ndigbo in their quest to produce the Nigerian president in 2023.

He said that the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, Yahaya Bello, Bala Mohammed and Bukola Saraki should shelve their presidential aspirations and support the Ndigbo.

In an interview with News Express on this issue, Ibegbu said the Ndigbo were insisting on the presidency and not ready to take the vice-presidential slot.

Ibegbu insisted that it was either the presidency or nothing for the Ndigbo in 2023.

“No way, it’s presidency or nothing. We are not second class citizens in Nigeria and will never be. We would rather we watch Nigeria unfold an unjust political jiggery poggery than accept vice president. Are we only good for VP or what?

“What is wrong if we become president? Look, if nobody in Igbo land is ready to battle for president till the end, I, Chuks Ibegbu, will come out and I will win. After all, I am better than most people that have been at Aso Rock since 1999,” he said.

Similarly, Okwukwu said Ndigbo would not be happy if the slot of the Vice President is zoned to them.

Speaking with News Express, Okwukwu said: “If you want the presidency, you must prepare for it, be diplomatic and negotiate for it. I support a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, it can come from any part of Igbo land.

“They would be happier and feel more dignified if they are allowed to produce the president instead of the vice president.

“You will agree with me that they produced the vice president in the person of Alex Ekwueme in 1979, which is 43 years ago. So, why would they be going to the same class they have already passed? I think it’s not dignifying. Ndigbo will be sad, they will not be happy.”

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