The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has reignited discussions on the South-East’s quest for Nigeria’s presidency after declaring the party’s support for the region’s ambition.
Speaking at a rally organized by LP members from the South-East ahead of the Abuja Area Council elections, Abure emphasized the need for the region to realign with others to achieve this goal.
Abure’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about political equity, as the South-East has yet to produce a president under Nigeria’s current democratic system. The LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who hails from the region, finished third in the last election behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mixed Reactions Trail Abure’s Statement
Osita Okechukwu: “A Welcome Development”
Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the APC and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), welcomed Abure’s remarks. He argued that political parties have the right to strategize for electoral success, including zoning the presidency.
“A political party must decide how to win elections. If the LP believes zoning to the South-East aligns with its strategy, it’s a good move. The APC, for instance, is focused on securing a second term for President Tinubu,” he told NEWS BULLETIN.
Okechukwu criticized the PDP for not zoning its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East, stating that adherence to zoning conventions promotes political stability.
“I support any party that upholds rotational presidency, ensuring the South-East gets its due turn before power shifts to the North again,” he added.
Obidient Movement: “Peter Obi Engaging with Nigerians”
Tanko Yunusa, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, highlighted Peter Obi’s ongoing engagement with Nigerians, focusing on good governance and national issues.
“Obi is getting closer to the people, advocating for a country all Nigerians can be proud of,” Yunusa said. When asked about potential alliances beyond the Labour Party, he responded, “Only time will tell.”
Ohanaeze Chieftain: “All Parties Should Zone Presidency to South-East”
Former deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, criticized Abure’s approach, arguing that zoning should not be viewed through an ethnic lens but as a matter of national political justice.
“Leadership should not be about Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa-Fulani. It’s naive to reduce it to sectional politics. The real issue is political equity, and all major parties—APC, PDP, LP—should commit to zoning the presidency to the South-East,” Ibegbu stated.
He accused Nigeria’s leading parties of neglecting the South-East and called for a broader political consensus.
“If PDP and APC had prioritized justice, they would have zoned their 2023 tickets to the South-East. This isn’t just a Labour Party issue; it’s a national one,” he stressed.
Ibegbu also warned against politicians using ethnicity for political gains, arguing that Nigeria’s challenges require a collective approach beyond tribal politics.
The Road Ahead
Abure’s statement has revived the debate on power rotation and political inclusion in Nigeria. As the next election cycle approaches, the conversation on whether the South-East will finally produce the nation’s president is expected to intensify.
