By Chris Oji, Enugu
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A PAN-IGBO group, the Coalition for Equity and Justice in Nigeria (COEJIN), has named Southeast and South-south politicians and technocrats who can succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
It said the first set of Igbo on its list should be considered as presidential candidates of the major political parties for the 2023 presidential election.
In a statement by its spokesman Chinonyerem Dick, COEJIN listed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Charles Soludo and former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as possible presidential candidates.
It also named former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwisili, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Managing Director/former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Auditor George Moghalu, political economist Prof Pat Utomi and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi as other likely candidates.
Others are former Minister of Power Prof Barth Nnaji, Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche, Heirs Holdings Chairman Tony Elumelu, Air Peace Chief Executive Officer Allen Onyema and former UNESCO consultant in science education Greg Ibeh.
The rest are Osadebe Ibegbu, Okey Nwagara, Ndi Onuekwesi, Okwy Nwodo and Emeka Ugwuoju.
COEJIN said vice presidential candidates, to be chosen from the north, could be any of Kaduna State Governor Mallam el-Rufai, former Lagos State Military Governor Buba Marwa, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former CBN Deputy Governor Dr Obadiah Mailafia.
Others are former Minister of Information Prof Jerry Gana, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha.
The group said the Senate Presidency should be zoned to the Southwest and House of Representatives Speaker to the Middle Belt.
