TheCable

Doyin Okupe, former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says only through a national consensus can an Igbo emerge president in 2023.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Okupe said such a consensus cannot emerge until the core north forgives the Igbo over the 1966 coup that led to the killing of Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.

The coup was carried out by predominantly officers from the south-east.

According to Okupe, political leaders from the south-east must liaise with other regions in the country to secure the presidency.

He noted that power can only be taken through negotiations, platitudes, understanding and application of wisdom.

“I made a statement of fact that unless a national consensus emerges, it will be impossible for a Nigerian president to emerge from the east. This is a political fact,” Okupe said.

“This is the political knot only the Igbo leaders must spearhead and with the support of other well meaning Nigerians, resolve with a high level of humility and political dexterity.

PRESIDENCY 2023 AND THE IGBOS.
I made a statement of fact that unless a national concensus emerges, it will be impossible for a nigerian president to emerge from the east. This is a political fact.

— Doyin (@doyinokupe) March 20, 2021

“It is not just the east but also neither the SW, SS nor the middle belt can produce a president without a national consensus. Unfortunately the north with its numbers only need one other zone in the south to produce a President.

“This is also a fact. Check Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s election results. The SW produced a president in 1999 through this national consensus. FACT. If the north for whatever reason does not buy-in into the Igbo presidency it is not going to be feasible. FACT.

“A national consensus for Igbo presidency cannot evolve until the core north forgives the Igbos for the killing of Sardauna of Sokoto by Nigerian soldiers of Igbo extraction in the 1966 Coup.

“If this consensus emerges, in the interest of equity, fairness & national unity, I will shelve my ambition & support whoever is chosen as a candidate by my party. However, in the event that this national consensus is not achievable, I WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2023 by God’s Grace.”