2023: Why I Dumped Igbo Presidency To Support Tinubu – Okechukwu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu has explained the reason behind his decision to jettison the agitation for a 2023 Igbo presidency.

Speaking on Tuesday, Okechukwu said he had no other option but to dump the agitation for Igbo presidency after Asiwaju Bola Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential candidate.

He said though he had always supported and promoted the idea of an Igbo presidency for 2023, reality changed his position after Tinubu emerged.

The VON DG posited further that as a loyal party man, though Tinubu was not his preferred choice, he had to let go of his own position and support the party candidate who emerged from a free and fair primary election.

Naija News understands he made his view known on Tuesday during an interview appearance on Arise TV.

In his words, “when we started the campaign, I was one of the people that issued the statement calling on Asiwaju as a kingmaker to support someone from the South-East but there was also a statement that the kingmaker also wanted to be the president.

“As a foundation member of the APC and somebody who has been in politics for 44 years, there was a primary election that was held openly and nobody complained that it was rigged and Asiwaju emerged.

“I have no other option except to back the candidate of my party because Asiwaju won the election. Yes he was not my preference at the beginning of the race, but at the end, he won”.

Tinubu Set To Name Campaign Team

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly zeroed in on Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to pick its presidential campaign Director-General from one of the duo.

Naija News understands that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, who was earlier favoured for the post, was dropped over his religion.

Following the backlash the party received for fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, many believe it would be inappropriate to appoint a Muslim as its campaign DG.

It was gathered that the presidential candidate of the ruling party, Asiwaju Tinubu, and some APC Governors had scheduled a meeting in Lagos to deliberate on the Campaign Council of the APC that is expected to be announced soon.

The planned meeting was eventually held on Monday and the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, revealed that the APC Presidential Campaign Council will be unveiled soon.