Under the auspices of the Southern Mandate Group, a coalition of socio-political groups has decided to drag the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, into the presidential race.
It stated that the minister’s leadership experience in various administrative positions qualifies him for the nation’s top political position.
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Following an emergency meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, the groups representing 11 states in the South-South and South-East declared that the minister possesses all of the qualifications to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in 2023.
“Having studied his performance in various positions as a two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly; governor for two terms; Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum; Minister for over six years, we in the coalition of Southern CSOs have declared and affirmed support for Mr Amaechi,” SMG President-General Chibuikem Asuzu told reporters shortly after the endorsement.
“We have resolved that the Southern block should support someone who has the capacity to lead the country with inner love for its development and capable of fostering national cohesion,” Asuzu added.
It was past time, he said, for voters to “rise above petty ethnicity, nepotism, and other discriminatory factors to sustain the tempo of development as engineered by President Buhari since 2015.”
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We firmly support Amaechi, and we hope that the presidency is zoned to Southern Nigeria for the sake of equity, fairness, and justice.
“In terms of Nigeria’s unity, Amaechi has demonstrated his commitment to the country’s oneness and unity through his advocacy for Nigeria’s indivisibility.”
