A new twist was introduced into the the 2023 Presidency when a group endorsed the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha as the next President.
The group under the aegis of Oduduwa Sons and Daughters for Equity and Justice declared that the Yoruba people have decided to support a South Easterner as successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.
At a town Hall meeting in Lagos on Monday, Coordinator of the group, Prince Ebunola Martins, stated that the Yorubas reached a consensus that the next president should come from the South-East.
He said in the interest of justice, fairness and equity, as well as the spirit of oneness, the Igbos should be given the opportunity.
He said, “Rochas Okorocha is the only Presidential aspirant the Yorubas trust. The South West trusts Rochas Okorocha because he will not divide this country.”
He noted that the former Imo Governor built Rochas Foundation College for the children of the poor, providing free education to the less privileged in the north with schools in Yola, Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Zaria, Jos and many cities in Nigeria.
Martins said: “We are all aware of our present situation in the country and all efforts being made by President Muhammadu Buhari led administration particularly as it affects security of lives and property, dwindling economy, youth restiveness, separatist agitations, hate and tribalism, corruption and selfishness, out of school children and illiteracy, poverty, blood shedding amongst others.
“The question before us today is what do Nigerians want and what kind of President do we need as a people? Who can unite us as a people to stop these deadly agitations? Who can create wealth for our nation and engage our jobless youths to address the issue of insurgency and criminality?
“Who will care for the weak and indigent in our society, the poor, and the needy? A man or woman of generous spirit. This is why the Yoruba sons and daughters have for over two years now searched for the person with proven track record who can address these key issues.
“We have also asked ourselves questions as to why our nation is not moving forward and why Nigeria today is addressed as the poverty capital of the world. Why despite our God given natural and human resources, which are far better than the ones given to any nation of the world, we are still called a Third World nation?
“Who then can unite us back as a people in 2023 and whose antecedents show a detribalised Nigerian? Most of our leaders seeking for the office of president in 2023 are mostly regional or ethnic champions who promote only one tribe or region with no record of investment or empowerment of people other than their tribe or religion, except for their political allies,” he said.
