Igbo presidency in 2023 will end civil war, says ex-Governor

Former Abia State governor, Orji Kalu, has declared that the victory of an Igbo candidate in the 2023 presidential election will mark a definite end to Nigerias civil war that ended 50 years ago.

While speaking to journalists on Sunday, February 18, 2018, the All Progressives' Congress (APC) chieftain said an Igbo president will quell the separatist agitation that has been raging for years in the southeast region.

He said, "It is the right thing to do, Nigeria is built on a tripod. When you allow the South East to have the Presidency by 2023, that will be the end of the civil war.

"The South East has had the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police. So it is only natural for the South East to have the Presidency.

"No man has the capacity to divide this country, the country will fight such a man. It is not possible, so the fear in the minds of people that the Igbo are pushing for secession only amounts to imbalance in perception.

"Take a look at Lagos State, Igbo have over fifty percent of investment here. Go to Abuja, almost seventy per cent of its investment are owed by Igbo.

"So, where are the Igbos going to go outside Nigeria. All these kind of talks are just blackmail. We should stop the blackmail.

"An Igbo president will bring prosperity to Nigeria, because the Igbo man or woman had the capacity for business and investment in areas outside their homeland.

"So, Igbo presidency is a thing the country should do with joy and pride in showcasing an Igbo man as President."

2019 presidential race

Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, belongs to a growing list of prominent Nigerians who have dropped hints that they may contest in the 2019 presidential elections.

Founder of the Latter Rain Assembly, PastorTunde Bakare revealed to his congregation on January 1, 2018, that God wants him to run for president despite his plan to quit politics for good.

Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose,remains the only candidate to have officially declared his intention to contest the election after his announcement in September 2017.

Even though President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to officially declare his reelection bid, he has also dropped hints over the past two months, and is expected to face former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is also in contention.