BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Former Senate Leader and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Cross River State Central Senatorial district in next year’s general elections, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba says the South East is in a position to produce Nigeria’s President come 2023 if they vote to return President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
He said unlike the President, who will be completing his second tenure if re-elected, no other candidate can readily guarantee an Igbo Presidency in the near future.
Speaking with journalists at his Apo, Abuja office, the Board Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said; “let me hazard what may happen and I think they will go with President Buhari. They are hoping to produce a President in 2023 and that opportunity can only come through a President Buhari because by the application of the law. Come 2023, Buhari will become ineligible to contest because he must end his tenure and that is when the south east can have their turn.”
According to him, “Any other person that comes, forget whatever promises they make. The moment they seat on that chair, they must take their constitutional two full terms. So, any other person will delay the chances for the south east. That is why I think the south east will go with President Buhari”.
Senator Ndoma-Egba, who acknowledged that the ticket may not be automatic for the South-East geo-political zone, however said; “We are talking about the opportunity and it is for the south east to go and organize themselves and ready itself for that opportunity”.
He further stated that the important question should be: “Will they have an opportunity in 2023 through President Buhari? The answer is yes, the opportunity will be there and you need to put your house in order. Will it be possible with other person in 2023 considering the fact that the person would have a constitutional two term. The answer is no.”
