A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo State, who coordinated the Muhammadu Buhari campaign in the state in 2015, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, tells CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA that Buhari will support an Igbo man to succeed him in 2023 if re-elected in 2019
What is your view on the promise by Buhari to support an Igbo presidency at the appropriate time?
I want to believe that you are referring to the speech by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at the support-for-Buhari rally in Owerri recently. I will find it difficult to interpret his remarks to mean a ‘pledge’ or ‘commitment’. The SGF, Boss Mustapha, merely echoed the obvious, logical permutation in the context of the current political reality. The Igbo truly and equitably desire to head the presidency in a united Nigeria – not just at any time but as soon as possible. Given the tradition of a two-term limit and the obsession for every serving president to desire to complete the constitutional limit of two terms, and in view of the fact that there is no politician of Igbo extraction, who is currently aspiring to be president in 2019 on any of the party platforms, it is common sense that the quickest cut to the Igbo presidency is via support for Buhari who has only one more term to go.
Do you think by saying ‘appropriate time’, Buhari is talking about 2023?
There could be no better “appropriate time” than 2023 in view of my earlier analysis. If the Igbo miss the presidency in 2023, the next probable year is 2031. This is unthinkable and will no doubt provoke a wobbling of faith in a one, united Nigeria by the Igbo. We are in no pretence that 2023, as a year for Igbo presidency, is one of our unique selling points for a Buhari second-term return.
Do you think that Buhari is sincere or just trying to get the support of the Igbo for a second term?
The Buhari I know would rather keep quiet than make a pronouncement on any issue he is not convinced on or does not believe in. If he says it, he means it. Don’t forget that he has a history with the Igbo in his tortuous journey to the presidency. In three previous attempts to be president, he had Dr Chuba Okadigo, Chief Ume Ezeoke and Senator Ben Obi, respectively, as running mates.
Do you think that the Igbo should support Buhari so that the region can produce the President in 2023?
My answer is unequivocally affirmative for the reasons already explained. But there is a strong need for us to put our house in order to reduce friction, avoid the distraction and negativity of an all-comers presidential aspiration and candidacy in 2023. We must acquire the discipline that only men of integrity with the appropriate acceptable presidential pedigree will dare contest. It should also be inclusive of the entire Igbo nation (including parts of Delta and Rivers) as presently captured by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
What is your opinion about the new political alliance between the Yoruba and the Igbo?
I am not aware of any political alliance currently between the Yoruba and the Igbo. Or are you referring to the issue of restructuring?
Yes, restructuring!
I am sorry to disagree with or disappoint you. There is no alliance whatsoever. There is only a mere coincidence of agreement between them based on a history of common experiences. Let me quickly add that it is a distortion of facts and history to postulate that only the Igbo and Yoruba nation agree to restructuring. Most progressive Nigerians of all tribes (like the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai) are at the forefront of the call for restructuring, at least to the extent of returning the country to the pre-civil war regional arrangement which was destroyed by the military for obvious reasons. After all, the Igbo and Yoruba alone could not have passed the restructuring resolution during the (2014) National Conference.
An alliance between the Yoruba and the Igbo didn’t work out in the past. Do you think it will work out this time round?
I will still resist the temptation of agreeing that there is an “alliance” between the Yoruba and the Igbo. However, earlier alliances between the Igbo and the Yoruba were politically motivated and therefore artificially created to grab presidential power on the platform of given political parties which are of course driven by partisan politicians. This current understanding, which I wish to describe as a coincidence of agreement on common interests, is based on natural justice, equity and good conscience. It is not driven by partisan political interests and will therefore outlive those who initiated and championed it until it is realised.
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