“Abure Backs South-East Presidency, Sparks Debate”
The recent comments by Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), have stirred reactions across political circles after he expressed the party’s willingness to support the South-East in achieving its presidential aspirations. Speaking on Sunday at a rally held by LP members from the South-East ahead of the Abuja Area Council election, Abure emphasized that for the South-East to achieve its dream of ruling Nigeria, the region would need to realign itself with other parts of the country.
Abure recalled his belief before the 2023 elections that the South-East lacked unity, but he changed his perception after campaigning for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who hails from the region. “I discovered that the Igbos are the most united, industrious, hardworking, and fearless,” Abure shared. He further added, “That’s why we zoned the presidential ticket of our party to the South-East in 2023. But the Igbos must go back to the drawing board and realign with the rest of the country.”
He reassured members of the South-East that the Labour Party would continue to support their ambition of producing Nigeria’s president in the future, though he stressed that greater regional unity and collaboration with other regions was crucial.
Abure’s statement reignites the debate surrounding the South-East’s political representation, particularly following the 2023 presidential election, where Obi, despite gaining significant support, came third behind Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Osita Okechukwu’s Support for Zoning
Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), welcomed Abure’s comments. He expressed his support for any party adhering to the zoning convention, stressing that political strategies should focus on winning votes and ensuring political equity. Okechukwu reflected on the missed opportunity by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, suggesting that had they adhered to the zoning principle, the party could have had a more competitive run for the presidency.
Obidient Movement’s Focus on People-Centric Politics
Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, underscored Peter Obi’s ongoing efforts to connect with Nigerians. Yunusa noted that Obi’s political focus was on addressing national issues such as healthcare, security, and governance. He also stated that Obi’s priority is to maintain a close relationship with the people and foster a politics of good governance.
Chuks Ibegbu Calls for Political Justice
Chuks Ibegbu, a former deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, challenged Abure’s statements, calling for political justice across all political parties. He argued that all parties—APC, PDP, and LP—should collectively agree to zone the presidency to the South-East to foster unity and fairness. Ibegbu criticized the notion of sectional leadership and emphasized that political equity, not tribal sentiment, should guide Nigeria’s leadership selection.
Ibegbu also criticized past political actions that sidelined the South-East in presidential zoning, lamenting the missed opportunities for a fair political system. He called on all parties to respect the rotational presidency convention, particularly after President Tinubu’s tenure.
The debate surrounding the South-East’s political future remains contentious, with calls for fairness and a more inclusive approach to Nigeria’s leadership. As the discussion continues, many see this as an ongoing struggle for true political justice and equity in the country.
