By Myke Uzendu
Yoruba Socio cultural group, Afenifere and the Southern Middle Belt Forum (SMBF) have jointly advocated the that the South east should be given the same treatment their Yoruba counterparts received in 1999, during the quest for a Yoruba president in 1999
It would be recalled that the quest to compensate the Yoruba for the loss of the widely acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Moshood Abiola and denial of the zone after winning the election, led to the decision of all the major political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Pary (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Nigerian Peoples Party (APP), to field Yoruba presidential candidates in the 1999 election
This is as there are affirmations that the Greater Nigeria Conference (GNC) which is working to produce the next President from the South-East will be attended by leaders of the Afenifere sociopolitical group, led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo and leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, led by Pa Edwin Clark as well as several state governors.
The global conference, organised by a global Igbo think tank, Nzuko Umunna, to canvass support for a presidential candidate from the region during the 2023 general elections will hold on Monday in Abuja.
The GNC in a statement by its Media Coordinator, Collins Ugwu, said South East governors and presidential aspirants will also attend the event.
It said more patriotic Nigerians were interested in championing the truth to foster equality, justice and fairness in Nigeria.
“Aside from the nationalist patriots expected in Abuja from all over the country, are also our governors from the Southeast region, who will play central roles to the big idea of a Nigerian President from the Southeast persuasion project.
“It is already heart warming and a sign of great awareness what one of them, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, declared passionately that Ndigbo have cried enough on their marginalization, and Nigerians should grant the region a fair playing ground come 2023 general elections for the presidency,” the statement read in part.
It further quoted Uzodinma as saying that Ndigbo are zealous, patriotic and committed to the oneness of Nigeria, adding that the region demanded a level playing field for all to operate and compete.
The statement added, “Most of the patriots who engineered the plan that made the Southwest region produce the presidential candidates for the two major political parties in 1999 are still alive and active in Nigerian politics. That same underlying love for the country that inspired them to do what they did for the Southwest in 1999, should inspire them to do the same for the Southeast in 2023.”
