May 03, (THEWILL) – The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Edwin Clark, has insisted that the next Nigerian president must be from the South-East extraction.
He stressed the need for the region to be treated with a sense of belonging and called for political parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to zone their presidential tickets to a candidate from the South-East.
He claimed that southerners are treated as second-class citizens in the country, noting there may be no Nigeria without zoning in 2023.
The Elder Stateman spoke on Tuesday, when he featured on Arise TV, monitored by THEWILL.
Clark noted that it was unacceptable for a region to have a domineering spirit because of its population, adding that those opposed to a South-East presidency in 2023, were ready to see the end of Nigeria.
Chief Clark, insisting that there is a monopoly of leadership by the North said, “My idea of zoning the Presidency to the South-East is well-known. No Nigerian will like to live in a country where certain people believe that they have the only right to lead.
“The APC believes the 12 million votes by President Muhammadu Buhari might be eroded if it is zoned to the South. The PDP is also considering zoning to the North. This is unfair.
“Nigeria stood on three legs and it has never been steady since one of the legs was destroyed during the Civil War. If zoning, which will heal the wounds is not done, there will be no Nigeria. Nobody will remain in this country as a second class citizen.
“Gowon should have allowed the Igbos to go if they are to be treated as second class citizens. If zoning which will heal the wounds is not done, there will be no Nigeria. Nobody will remain in this country as a second class citizen.
“The North believes their population can be used to oppress other Nigerians. This is not acceptable. The era of that has gone. There are many good Northerners, but the Fulani-oriented ones want to dominate everywhere.”
