Igbo Presidency: Nigerians In UK Urge Afenifere, PANDEF, Middlebelt Forum, Others To Support Orji Kalu

Following their resolve to back an Igbo presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Nigerians in UK under the aegis of Nigerians in Diaspora Elders have urged Afenifere, Middlebelt Forum, Tiv Nation, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and others to support Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

While congratulating the ethnic nationalities for their unequivocal resolve that the Igbos should produce the next president of Nigeria, Nigerians in Diaspora Elders recalled that in a recent press statement, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, categorically declared that the presidency should go to the South in 2023 and urged all political parties to zone their presidential ticket to the South.

In a release issued by Idris Mohammed, spokesperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Elders, the group also recalled that the leader of the Yoruba Nation Self-determination group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo through the Secretary-General of Afenifere, Chief Shola Ebideni noted that Southern presidency is a means to an end, stating that the 1999 constitution is dangerously skewed against the Igbo man.

While recommending Sen. Kalu for adoption as presidential candidate, the group described the former Abia governor as a nationalist, bridge builder and successful businessman, saying he is qualified for the job.

Nigerians in Diaspora Elders stated that the issue of Igbo Presidency is a shared sentiment which the PANDEF, Middlebet Forum, Tiv Nation and other regional groups have expressed support for, urging them to see Sen. Kalu as their candidate of choice.

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The spokesperson of the UK Elders noted that this extension of friendship by the Yorubas has long been expected and it has pleased God that at this time, it is coming through the foremost Pan-Yoruba group which has consistently, defended the rights of the Yoruba and other ethnic minorities in Nigeria.

“Special kudos also go to PANDEF, Middlebet Forum, Tiv Nation, and others for stretching towards political justice for the Igbos without ethnocentric drawbacks.

“It is therefore against this backdrop that the diasporean elders recommend the Chief Whip of the Federation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to Afenifere, PANDEF, Middlebelt Forum, Tiv Nation, and other groups for endorsement on the basis that he is internationalist, a businessman, a philanthropist, and a bridge-builder amongst others,” the release added.