2023. It is the turn of the south-east to produce Nigeria’s next president, but it is not the auspicious time for the region to do so. The national tenor today is unfavourable for the emergence of a president of south-east extraction. We may have the moral justification to demand the zoning of the presidential ticket by the top-tier political parties – the APC and the PDP – to the south-east, but the ‘’time and chance’’ we do not have. It is our turn – but it is not our time.

Emotions. Morality. They have no place in politics. We can all kvetch about how the south-east is marginalised and how for the sake of national unity the next president comes from the region. But this is only sentimental. Just, yes, however unrealistic. The factors leading up to this moment of obvious handicap were created by the political elite of the south-east. The mood is not right.

Is there any politician from the south-east today with a national allure? I sincerely doubt this. Most of them have reduced themselves to ethnic conquistadors with magnetism only for those who speak their language and have sympathies for the illusory Biafra.

Political parties want to win elections. This is the primary goal of every political party. If, for instance, the APC gives its presidential ticket to Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor, and the PDP decides to dally with the south-east; which politician from the region can square off against the Jagaban? I think, none. Could it be Anyim Pius Anyim? Or Peter Obi? These two only enjoy sectional popularity. In fact, Anyim is not popular anywhere, not even in Ebonyi — his state. They cannot match the hurricane of Tinubu.

Let us be realistic. Peter Obi is no match for Tinubu. If it were a sectional contest where only Igbo votes will decide the winner, perhaps, the former Anambra governor will have a chance. But this is national politics where every Nigerian – north, south, east, west – will decide the outcome.

By the way, what has Peter Obi done at the national level that is reckonable? Does he have the needed extensive political network? This is without prejudice to the leadership qualities of the former Anambra governor. He is a brilliant and disciplined politician, but the hoi-polloi who determine the outcome of elections in Nigeria may very oblivious of this. They may not even know who Peter Obi is.

Peter Obi has played his politics within a very limited space. He circumscribed himself to analysing policies on the Platform and locked himself away in a sectional pigeonhole. Obi will make a good president no doubt, but he has refused to do the ‘’politics of politics’’.

The likes of Peter Obi will thrive in a political milieu where merit, competence, antecedents and demonstrated leadership ability are the only criteria for electing leaders. But Nigeria is far from getting there. Coming from the south-east, Peter Obi has already lost the election by virtue of where he comes from.

This is my point. It is about pragmatism, not about morality or what should be. We know what the ideal Nigerian presidential candidate should be. But the contrivances of the entrenched system do not allow the ideal to survive. So, the ideal will remain an ideal.

Also, there seems to be a prevailing national animus for the south-east owing to the terrorism of Biafra agitators. The political elite of the south-east has handled the persisting agitation and the concomitant killings abysmally. To date, none of them has condemned and spoken out trenchantly against the terrorism perpetrated by Igbo citizens in the region. The killings and destruction persist, yet no outrage by the political elite some of whom have rationalised the criminality of the agitators. What has Peter Obi said about the killings, devastation, rape, beheading and cannibalism by Biafra agitators?

Other Nigerians view the political leaders and citizens of the south-east as complicit in the carnage afflicting all Nigerians — particularly those from the north living and doing business in the region. The disposition of south-east political leaders to this resident pestilence has not been propitious. The perception is that the atrocities have the tacit approval of the political leadership who are opposed to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The silence of the south-east political leadership and the elite to the butchery by Biafra agitators is roaring.

Which region will want to vote for a candidate of south-east extraction when the political elite spent the past seven years antagonising certain groups and sponsoring vicious ethnic propaganda instead of organising and forging alliances?

As I said in a previous column, if work had been put in by south-east political leaders in the past six years — forging alliances and mobilising consciences — the right atmosphere would have been created for the zoning of the presidency to the south-east by the foremost political parties in 2023.

As it stands today, any candidate from the south-east has already lost the election by virtue of where he comes from. This is not about emotions; it is realpolitik.

By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is writer and journalist.

https://www.thecable.ng/no-candidate-from-south-east-can-defeat-tinubu/amp

Let them try their luck so they don't feel marginalised after they loose



.

Is Tinubu contesting against South East?

Can Tinubu defeat a SE candidate in southern Region ?, if he can then your analysis might be considerable but if he cannot win SE candidate in the whole of southern Nigeria before looking towards Northern side then your analysis belongs to the dustbin...

Southerners should Stop looking towards north for support, win your southern region ist before waiting for outsiders to support you..

Buhari became the president because he's an underground politician who's loved by majority of the people from his region.. He had NE, NW and half of north central.. 2/3 or even more

Can Tinubu score such points in the south if he's on the ballot with SE candidate ?, If he cannot then he's taking a very big risk because those he's hoping for support in the north might disappoint him...

Tinubu is not a southern grassroot politician..

He's only begging north for support which is not happening..

Mooh247:
Let them try their luck so they don't feel marginalised after they loose

Haha lol. Meth addicts don suffer.

And what happens if eventually he doesn't even get the APC ticket after the primary?
He will decamp to Iragbiji Progressive Party (I.P.P) and then win the Igbo candidate from there.

And for those Tinubu's agberos daring Igbos to contest now,why didn't you dare yourselves to contest in 2015?? You preferred to be VP to Buhari and called it "bridge-building". If Igbos decide to continue the long "bridge-building" in 2023,that's a very perfect timing.
All cards would be played right now,whichever way.

Great tears are warming up. There will be shouts of marginalisation & Oduduwa republic after 2023.
Mark this somewhere

It's a shame shame that even if Atiku and Tinubu should slug it out, Atiku will win him both in South and North.
Tinubu can't even win the South where he comes from.

Hahahahahahahaha.....
Jagaban himself!

So the op is saying Tinubu can only survive in a corrupt system .. but when it comes to merit and work.. Na Peter Obi

Na wao

So Nigerians in general can agree that Yoruba land is corrupt and full of nepotistic and tribal doings where money rules

Okay

We saying same thing

Only that times have change..

Nigerian want a new country.. where evil and evil men can’t be considered neither money ..

Nigerians are going for meritocracy..

My Nwabufo should wake .. for even the man his writing about .. his campaign slogan Na igbo hatred and bitterness

Yet the Tinubu sef don’t even know you exist.. you need to appaer for TVC make he see you

Hungry man..

trutharena:


Haha lol. Meth addicts don suffer.

Men on daily are cashing out big time on Tinubu

Said before 26

Tinubu for don spend 18 bullion van and nothing

Yoruba go hear

Frigga13:
So the op is saying Tinubu can only survive in a corrupt system .. but when it comes to merit and work.. Na Peter Obi

Na wao

So Nigerians in general can agree that Yoruba land is corrupt and full of nepotistic and tribal doings where money rules

Okay

We saying same thing

Only that times have change..

Nigerian want a new country.. where evil and evil men can’t be considered neither money ..

Nigerians are going for meritocracy..

My Nwabufo should wake .. for even the man his writing about .. his campaign slogan Na igbo hatred and bitterness

Yet the Tinubu sef don’t even know you exist.. you need to appaer for TVC make he see you

Hungry man..

This one done begging him long incoherent jargons epistle letter he writes every time he sees Tinubus post


Wailing Ipob

Let us be realistic. Peter Obi is no match for Tinubu. If it were a sectional contest where only Igbo votes will decide the winner, perhaps, the former Anambra governor will have a chance. But this is national politics where every Nigerian – north, south, east, west – will decide the outcome.

This is the simple truth that his supporters like to deny. Peter Obi has made no effort to shed that clannish and sectional mien.

It's far easier for an Igbo to defeat Atiku in PDP than for Igbo to defeat Tinubu in APC.. how e wan take happen sef?

So this one have written for thieftinubu all this years, his relevance have centred on criticising igboman, when we told them that most of this self acclaimed writers that always amplify their identity are paid agent, most people thought we are sentimental.

Tomorrow will drop an article .. to press Yoruba mumu bottom and they go fall

Yoruba need anything to breath

The suffocation too much

Haba!

Power returns North

Pdp candidate is the next Nigerian President

Weda Obi or Anyim ..

Power returns North

Meanwhile Nwabufo should vist and tour Northern Nigeria to be updated

No be to dey look for money for Yoruba land and sucking smelly balls for clout..

Onepeople:
So this one have written for thieftinubu all this years, his relevance have centred on criticising igboman, when we told them that most of this self acclaimed writers that always amplify their identity are paid agent, most people thought we are sentimental.

Focus on the message, not the messenger. Besides, the author is an igbo like Peter Obi. Some of you people don't just like hearing the truth.

Mooh247:



This one done begging him long incoherent jargons epistle letter he writes every time he sees Tinubus post


Wailing Ipob

Yoruba man need attention

Next!

Fredrick may not be correct . Otedola becoming a Governor in Lagos was least expected.

Undermine no one.

Tinubu Zombies think this election is Tinubu against the SE. Why didn’t the Op pitch Tinubu against Atiku?

Very senseless post

Walahi

Some doubts will be cleared

Northern Nigeria has 70 million votes for Tinubu

Barawo banza..

2023 go clear

Nigerians if you get opportunity to chop from bullion van ..
Chop without mercy

Is unlimited and unrefundable .. Na the word for North

E go clear Yoruba people like this..

We move..

Dan Fulani running things

People like Fredrick Nwabufo are just dumb is he himself not one Nigerian enough to be president ?

When you look at the so called achievement of the so called one Nigeria Igbos is it enough to tell the rest of Igbo nation to follow them ? ?

Between Joe igbokwe and sowolu who was more active in APC pre 2019 ? Despite the notice how has Joe igbokwe been treated ? Would any Igbo love to be treated like Joe igbokwe you want Igbos to be like ?


Nigerians won't vote Igbo man 2023 because of igbophobia nothing else

There no way to compare tinubu to umiah in terms of achievement , performance ,and intelligency

Post 2023 the Igbo nation would be forced to take a position

Most Igbos know that the author is saying the truth, that's why they prefer that the PDP ticket goes to a Northerner/Atiku, because they know there's no Igbo alive that can match the likes of Osinbajo not to talk of Tinubu. Peter Obi's popularity starts and ends on Twitter/social media. Dude couldn't even defeat Obiano and Soludo in his home state.

CyynthiaKiss:
Can Tinubu defeat a SE candidate in southern Region ?, if he can then your analysis might be considerable but if he cannot win SE candidate in the whole of southern Nigeria before looking towards Northern side then your analysis belongs to the dustbin...

Southerners should Stop looking towards north for support, win your southern region ist before waiting for outsiders to support you..

Buhari became the president because he's an underground politician who's loved by majority of the people from his region.. He had NE, NW and half of north central.. 2/3 or even more

Can Tinubu score such points in the south if he's on the ballot with SE candidate ?, If he cannot then he's taking a very big risk because those he's hoping for support in the north might disappoint him...

Tinubu is not a southern grassroots politician..

He's only begging north for support which is unlikely

You are Yoruba and you were not economic with the truth. Very few honest yorubas out there..
He can't win his own South. He's banking on same North all candidates will slug it out

The foolish political jobber called Frederick is at it again. This time settling for Tinubu's crumbs. He is either criticizing his kinsmen or licking the ass of his Fulani masters. Who takes this efulefu serious? Get ready Umunnem, you will see more of these paid writers in the days leading to the elections. Tighten you seat belt, more are coming!

Onepeople:
So this one have written for thieftinubu all this years, his relevance have centred on criticising igboman, when we told them that most of this self acclaimed writers that always amplify their identity are paid agent, most people thought we are sentimental.

Bros
We need more of this their paid article.. Na only thing yoruba people believe ..

Peter Obi declare all their body stiff .. this kind article Dey help unstiff body..

Yoruba need a.m. .. is an encouragement

Imagine

Atiku first.. dem Dey try wake .. PETER knack again..

Bro e reach make them use article console themselves

After all their noise

Adamu Na dia chairman.. and Yoruba no get choice
Buni Dey conduct the Congress .. maybe seunmg is still in office or he deleted his account

Follow yoruba mouth and appear stupid before intellects

Bubu on the beat..

Just like there was no Yoruba alive that could defeat GEJ
SO THE ENTIRE YORUBA PEOPLW PLUS ODUDUWA AND HIS FALLEN HAVE TO WUE BEHIND BUHARI

Yoruba people eh kwa

The current Peter Obi frenzy reminds me of how Buhari was on everybody's mouth in 2015. Buhari was also a sectional leader that was repackaged to seem like a 'Messiah' and anti-corruption 'Saint'. Only for him to enter and show us shege.

Have they ever produced any sellable candidate in history of democracy ?

They have never and they will never be in suitable position to produce presidency.


Ask PDP why they never allow any SE candidate to contest.

Frigga13:
Just like there was no Yoruba alive that could defeat GEJ
SO THE ENTIRE YORUBA PEOPLW PLUS ODUDUWA AND HIS FALLEN HAVE TO WUE BEHIND BUHARI

Yoruba people eh kwa

Olodo have forgotten that a Yoruba man handpicked Jonathan as a VP for Yaradua.

Perhaps you people think everyone is as dumb nd daft as you are.

Ask Zik why he wanted to overtake SW instead of him focusing on Niger delta .?
Yoruba land is millions miles ahead of others .

KingKO22:


Olodo have forgotten that a Yoruba man handpicked Jonathan as a VP for Yaradua.

Perhaps you people think everyone is as dumb nd daft as you are.

Ask Zik why he wanted to overtake SW instead of him focusing on Niger delta .?
Yoruba land is millions miles ahead of others .

According to yoruba narratives

This one done twist am already

Nominate fire.

Awolowo wasted free education walahi.. used tribalism to cut middle west out from benefiting

It would have paid more .. on them

See the effects

Empty heads everywhere

Yoruba

CyynthiaKiss:
Can Tinubu defeat a SE candidate in southern Region ?, if he can then your analysis might be considerable but if he cannot win SE candidate in the whole of southern Nigeria before looking towards Northern side then your analysis belongs to the dustbin...

Southerners should Stop looking towards north for support, win your southern region ist before waiting for outsiders to support you..

Buhari became the president because he's an underground politician who's loved by majority of the people from his region.. He had NE, NW and half of north central.. 2/3 or even more

Can Tinubu score such points in the south if he's on the ballot with SE candidate ?, If he cannot then he's taking a very big risk because those he's hoping for support in the north might disappoint him...

Tinubu is not a southern grassroots politician..

He's only begging north for support which is not happening..

On point

Frigga13:


Bros
We need more of this their paid article.. Na only thing yoruba people believe ..

Peter Obi declare all their body stiff .. this kind article Dey help unstiff body..

Yoruba need a.m. .. is an encouragement

Imagine

Atiku first.. dem Dey try wake .. PETER knack again..

Bro e reach make them use article console themselves

After all their noise

Adamu Na dia chairman.. and Yoruba no get choice
Buni Dey conduct the Congress .. maybe seunmg is still in office or he deleted his account

Follow yoruba mouth and appear stupid before intellects

Bubu on the beat..

the truth is bitter.
Ur elders know better.

Cover your head in shame as PDP can not see anything good from all the politicians from SE since 1999.

You people have to admit that you are inconsequential in the scheme of politics in Nigeria.

Ndi 5% buruku