As the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to zone its chairmanship position to the south which will deny southeast the much expected Presidential slot, the Pan Nigeria Presidency of Igbo Extraction Coalition (PANPIEC), the umbrella body coordinating all the groups championing for Igbo to become the next President of Nigeria after Muhammad Buhari in 2023 has hinted its alternative plans if APC and PDP fail to zone the Presidency to Igbo land.
The group’s position was made known by its Spokesman in Akure, the Ondo state capital on September 25, 2021. In a media chat with newsmen, at the group’s southwest zonal office in Akure, Prince Erondu Uche noted that the group is waiting with keen interest the outcome of the ongoing PDP’s national meeting in Enugu and that of APC which will hold later.
He said it will be unfair if the two major political parties deny Igbos this opportunity, noting that it will ridicule those who have supported these two parties. “If PDP and APC deny Igbos the opportunity to produce the next President by 2023, it will be unfair and I think everyone from Igbo land who have contributed to the growth and sustenance of these two political parties will know that their contributions are not appreciated”.
On what to expect from the ongoing PDP national meeting in Enugu, Prince Erondu said “Governor Ugwuanyi’s hands appear to be tied as he had confessed. What this means is that the outcome of the meeting had already been stereo typed”.
It will be noted that Governor Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, the chairman of the PDP zoning committee had said that he was not given the mandate to zone the office of the President. “This means that he is there to fulfill all righteousness. Why will he not be given the mandate to zone the office of the President? We are watching with keen interest “.
Political Analysts have attributed the lack of political will power of the southeast governors and political leaders to come out boldly to make demands on zoning the Presidency to Igbo land or show interest in contesting as the reason for the likes of Atiku Abubarka, Ahmed Tinubu, Aminu Tambowal, Kayode Fayemi, Yemi Osibanjo, Yahaya Bello and others to lay claim to the exalted position.
The speculation making round is that Igbo political gladiators are only interested in becoming Vice to the northerners. Those alleged to be lobbying for the position of vice president are Chris Ngige, Nyesom Wike, Hope Uzodinma, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Rochas Okorocha, Chibuike Amaechi, Anyim Pius Anyim, Oby Ezekwesili, Ben Ayade among others.
On what PANPIEC will do if the two major political parties fail to zone the office of the President to Igbo land, Prince Erondu Uche said that the group will produce an Igbo candidate who will win the election. He maintained that with the wide network and different afflictions the group has, not only in Nigeria but globally, it will give maximum support to their candidate who will lead Nigeria in 2023.
“We are not going back on our mandate. If APC and PDP fail to zone the Presidency to Igbo land, we may likely produce an Igbo candidate who will win the election. Almost all Nigerians want Igbo to become the next president in 2023.
“We have the network across Nigeria and globally, whoever we support will surely win because this will bring peace and stability to Nigeria and for the sake of equity, justice and fairness. Even you the press won’t you support us? Are you not tired of reporting crisis and killings everyday? Igbo as President will bring healing”, he said.
PANPIEC Board of Trustees, central working committee and national officers are expected to meet in Akure in October 2021 to appraise the outcome of the ongoing PDP national meeting in Enugu.
