Yakasai backs clamour for Igbo presidency in 2023, urges persuasion as against threats, intimidation

An elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai has expressed support for the clamour for Igbo presidency after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari lapses in 2023.

In an interview, he argued that the emergence of a Nigerian President from the South-East geopolitical zone in 2023 would be in line with the principle of equity and fairness as enshrined in the nation’s constitution.

He, however, maintained that the goal could only be achieved through persuasion rather than threats and blackmail from some opinion leaders like former old Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeeka Ezeife.

Ezeife was quoted in a national daily as saying that the Igbo citizenship would cease to exist in 2023 if the South-East was denied the opportunity to produce the next President of Nigeria, adding that such development would threaten the nation’s democracy.

“Politicking is all about debate and exchange of ideas so that holders of superior political viewpoints could win the support of their rivals by advancing superior arguments and reasons.

“This is what democracy is all about. There is no other way of going about it. The sooner this is appreciated and respected, the better in civilised discourse. All Nigerians should appreciate the need to subscribe to its sustenance.

“While I have been advocating a President for Nigeria from the zone, I would like to advice that issuing threats, as was reflected in views ascribed to Ezeife are, in my view, not the right approach to achieving that objective in a diverse country like Nigeria.

“Besides, the normal way of political advocacy is done through persuasion rather than threats and black mail.

“At his age, national standing and exposure, I am not happy to hear a person like Eziefe speaking in the same vain as Nnamdi Kalu and his likes. Kalu is only appealing to the sentiments of young Igbo people who are oblivious of the consequences of what they do,” he stated.

He recalled that the country experienced these kinds of careless mantra that led to the loss of many lives and destruction of property during the civil war in the nation’s history.