Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Rochas Okorocha alongside other candidates from the South-East have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to choose an Igbo contender as the ruling party’s presidential candidate.
The South-East presidential hopefuls articulated this request in a letter backed by Ikeobasi Mokelu, former ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, and Mrs. Ken Uju-Ohanenye, directed to President Buhari.
NAIJATAB NEWS previously disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has instructed the National Advisory Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “actively” promote a consensus candidate in preparation for the party’s presidential primary set for Tuesday in Abuja.
The candidates implored Buhari to take action during the convention for “suitable guidance”.
Although Okorocha was listed among the signatories, he did not append his signature.
“We, the undersigned, pursuing the Office of the President under the banner of our party, the APC, express our commendation for your dedicated leadership of our nation and political party.
2. We also commend your distinct endorsement of the position adopted by the 14 Progressive governors from Northern Nigeria, to ensure that your successor is selected from the southern region of Nigeria. We commend the governors for this patriotic and unifying stance. Together we thrive – Our strength in diversity has been the cornerstone for all patriots.
3. Your Excellency, we humbly request that this position from our Northern siblings be strengthened and made more inclusive by officially zoning this role to the South-East.
4. We recognize that no President can emerge without the support of various geopolitical regions and the explicit cooperation of our brothers and sisters from different areas of Nigeria.
5. With our Convention approaching, your esteemed directive for bolstering unity in diversity, championed by our founding leaders solely based on fostering national solidarity and cohesion, as well as securing triumph in the 2023 elections have been clearly articulated objectives in your addresses to the Progressive governors forum, the APC aspirants dinner, and the assembly of APC stakeholders.
6. Furthermore, we are earnestly requesting that you consider and designate your preferred candidate from the South-East aspirants in line with your articulated goal of transferring power to dependable party supporters.
7. We genuinely seek your Excellency’s prompt and considerate intervention to aid the party delegates in achieving suitable guidance.
8. Please accept, as always, our continued loyalty and assurances of our highest esteem and compliance to whichever candidate your Excellency deems appropriate and suitable to endorse as the party’s nominee.
