By Akinwale Kasali
Veteran Nollywood Artistes of South East origin have urged the two dominant political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to zone their Presidential seat to the South-east for equity, fairness and justice.
The Veterans of the make-belief industry lamented that the South-east have been neglected and deprived of getting the nod to the Presidency since the advent of Democracy, saying that for peace to reign and for there to be unity in the country, the marginalization the South East have experienced is enough.
Chidi Mokeme, a veteran, and leading voice in the Campaign for a South Easterner to get the nod for the Presidency in 2023 said that the 2023 election is fast approaching and the nation is in comatose and things can’t be done as usual.
He said it is time to stop paying lip service to the idea of One Nigeria, and start to embrace the Federal Character principles as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mokeme appealed to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, Nigerians and the Political Parties to Zone the 2023 Presidency to the South East Geopolitical Zone for equity, justice and fair play.
He added that after 62 Years of the South East being in the trenches, it is just for the region to get a shot at the Presidency.
Bob Manuel Udokwu, another Veteran Nollywood actor said there is need to restore confidence in our nation, that everybody needs to be carried along so that we can make Nigeria great again.
He added that it is only fair and reasonable for the South East to get the Presidential ticket after the marginalization the region has suffered over the years. He urged the APC and PDP to zone their Presidency to the South East.
Speaking further, Udokwu said that in 1999, the two dominant parties then, PDP and the Alliance For Democracy zoned their Presidency to the South West, so it can be done again in the interest of peace, unity, justice and national cohesion.
On his part, another Veteran in the industry, Zack Orji, said equity and justice constitute a condition for peace, unity and national cohesion in any country no matter the country.
Orji added that for peace and justice to reign in the country, it is only fair for the South East to get the nod for Presidency
In the same vein, Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G by her fans and Teco Benson, a film-maker and actor said that they appeal to Nigerians and the Political class to Zone the 2023 Presidency to the South East for equity, justice and fair play.
The call by the Veteran Nollywood artistes has been at the front burner, with the South-east region political class clamoring for the top seat.
