Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, has declared his intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
On Tuesday, Kalu told reporters that the time has come for the South East to produce the next President and that the region has enough credible and capable contenders to succeed Buhari.
The Senate Chief Whip stated that he is prepared to compete for the presidency with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other presidential contenders.
According to the former governor, he is the country’s best-prepared presidential contender, and all he needs now is for the APC to zone its ticket to the South East.
Kalu indicated that he had no objections to Tinubu’s desire, claiming that the APC leader’s goal does not preclude an Igbo president.
He said: “I do not see Tinubu’s aspiration having any effect on the President of Nigeria coming from the Igbo area. Because we are talking based on what Nigeria should be.
“We are talking based on what people should believe. Obasanjo has been President for eight years. Osinbajo is doing eight years as Vice President. And no Igbo man since independence has been a democratically elected President. So it is always good to think of what is reasonable and what will be more sellable.
“I’m the most prepared Presidential candidate in Nigeria. I’m capable healthwise, I’m capable as a person, I’m capable in my pocket. I’m capable to face anybody. But the party is supreme. I only wait for APC as a party.
“For me, contesting for President is not the issue. The issue is who is going to lead the country into an economic miracle, into a turnaround. I’m not against Tinubu. If it’s zoned to his area and the party said he should go. Well, the party is supreme. I’m only waiting for the party.”
Kalu’s remarks follow the APC national leader’s public pledge that he will run for president in 2023.
Former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said that he told President Muhammadu Buhari of his desire to run for President in 2023.
Tinubu said he has not notified Nigerians of his desire because he is still engaging with stakeholders, according to State House journalists.
