By Akinwale Kasali
The hope of having a South Easterner as the President of the Nation come 2023 seems to have been dashed if the words of Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo is anything to go by.
The controversial Monarch has expressed his lack of confidence in an Igbo man as the next President of the nation come 2023.
Oba Akanbi said what has always led to the failure of the Igbo getting the Presidential seat is because of their approach, which over the years, amount to chasing of shadows.
“The failure of the South Easterners to change their approach amount to chasing shadow on their political journey of producing Nigeria’s President.
“The civil war wounds meted on South Easterners is a weak factor to institutionalize policies capable of tearing the nation apart.
“I have people from across Nigeria in Iwo, including the South Easterners. They do not only have their businesses but also built their houses and own farm lands. Such is not only peculiar to Iwo but to other parts of the country, except the South-East. A Nigerian in Nigeria should be able to own land anywhere.
“The style by the South easterners is barbaric. Such is not only detrimental to their economic viability but also to their political recognition. As a Traditional Ruler, I can’t trust any South easterner as my President.
“You can’t be a leader on sectional interest. With such unsophisticated, primitive and uncivilized thinking, no Nigerian from other zones will vote a South Easterner as their President.”
The Monarch has over time pledged his support for the candidacy of frontline All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Aspirant and National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Political observers believe that his comment on Igbo Presidency is inconsequential.
Said an Igbo business man when asked to comment:
“Is that one an Oba too. So when Traditional Rulers are talking, he talks too. Nobody takes him serious. He does not count. Not even in his domain. Was he not the one who hit a colleague Traditional Ruler publicly? I beg, discuss serious issues.”
