2023: Igbo Group Says Two Presidents Would Emerge; Frowns At Northern Presidency

By Akinwale Kasali

The statement made by Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has generated controversy and condemnation, especially in Southern Nigeria.

Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has slammed NEF Spokesperson.

The Youth Group said the South East will produce its own President if the North is bent on retaining power in 2023 as said by Baba Ahmed.

It would be recalled that Baba Ahmed had made the comment while speaking at the Maiden Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series organized by the students wing of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

He stated that anyone who doesn’t want a Northerner as President in 2023 can leave the country when it happens.

A statement by the President General of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem,  described the utterance by the Northern statesman as unfortunate and disapointing.

“It is unfortunate that a man of his standing who the youths look up to for better direction and guidance will hold such view on such important and sensitive issue. We are totally disappointed that he will make such statement.

“It is a well known fact that the North cannot produce Nigerian President without the support of the Southern Nigerians. President Buhari had the full support of the North and he contested in 2003 and he lost.

He contested again in 2007 and 2011 and lost. He won the election in 2015 when he aligned with the Southern part of the country who voted for him and he emerged as president. It is wrong for the hen to forget the one  that assists her in drying up her wet feathers during the rainy season, as the saying goes. It was the support of the South that made President Buhari to win his elections in 2015 and 2019.

“We are very surprised that Hakeem has suddenly forgotten so soon how President Buhari emerged as president. History doesn’t lie, he should go back to history to refresh his memory.

“We, as the Youth Leaders of South East geopolitical zone stand by the decision of the Southern Governors that the office of the Nigerian President be zoned to the South for equity and justice. Enough said.” Ibem stated.