We fought the civil war, and at the end, it was a “no victor and no vanquish” declaration. It took us decades to trust the region with the position of a Defense Minister and Nigeria is still standing. It is high time the region produce a President. After all, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's hails from the communist former East Germany.
I am not a supporter of zoning system, federal character, or quota system. Any capable Nigerian should be able to aspire to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigerian, without any hindrance on the basis of his place of birth. As I have stated on this Blog, the State of origin of the President is not the issue. It is the foresight and management philosophy of the President that matters. Niger State has produced two Presidents; today it is still one of the least developed States in the Union. Few days ago, Sahara Reporters reproduced an ugly depressing photos of an Elementary School in Ogun State, the State of origin of former President Obasanjo who served for eight years. So, it is about performance, and not the state of origin of the President.
Be that as it may, the East deserves a sense of belonging and trust. Also, my Igbo brothers and sisters should learn to say no to ceremonial offices that come with nothing substantial and learn to assert themselves on power. Ebitu Ukiwe and the late Professor Eme Awa are shining examples of how to say f… you to power.
Right now, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) is eminently qualified to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I do not know why he has not given it a thought. Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu is a Presidential material any time any day. We didn’t have Awo; chances are that we might not have Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu as a President. And that is the Nigerian problem. We have lots of Awos and Kalus in our midst: the late Dr Akionla Aguda, Professor Adebayo Adedeji, Dr. Abrahim Ayagi, Major-General (retired) Mamman Kontagora, and the very young Donald Duke. Just to name a few. These noble men, for unexplained reasons couldn't make it and cannot make it to the Presidency. And it is sad.
Right now, Mrs Okonjo Iweala, Olisa Agbakoba and Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu are the most viable candidates with national profile of south-eastern extraction who this country should be proud to have as President. It is not enough to insist on Igbo Presidency, without identifying by names, as I just did here, those who deserve the title, and give your reasons. That is what the Igbos, especially those in the social media do not know how to do. If you cannot identify the "greats" in your midst, no one is going to do it for. It is not enough that you deserve it, the individual must earn it to be able to garner nation-wide support . That is a case you guys must learn to make.
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