Two top officials of the Buhari Administration have given conflicting views on which zone will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, if he gets reelected in 2019.
The issue of who succeeds Buhari in 2023, which the South East has consistently laid claim to, has become heightened based on the reasoning that if the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, wins, he might contrary to promise opt for a second term, delaying other zones taking a shot at the presidency till 2027.
However, the pronouncement on Thursday by the Minister if Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, that should the South West vote massively for Buhari and ensure his reelection, it will be the turn of the zone to produce the president in 2023, has further heightened the fear of succession.
This runs contrary to the earlier pronouncement of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, that the South East will produce Buhari’s successor in 2023.
Mustapha, who spoke during the first leg of the South East rally of the All Progressives Congress for Buhari on July 3, 2018, said the President and the party will back the zone when the need arises.
He said: “The South East will overtake others after 2019.
“Buhari is a man of compassion and good heart and the people of South East know that Buhari would do more for them if given the support in 2019.
“2019 will make or mar the aspiration of Igbo nation.
“I am calling on the Igbo to make a paradigm shift and think seriously of their position.
“The presidency of Nigeria is negotiable and can only be done on position of strength and the strength of the Igbo will be determined by 2019 support for Buhari.”
At an earlier interaction with the leadership of the APC from Ebonyi State on April 10, 2018 in his office in Abuja, Mustapha said: “Preach it to the other South East states that the shortest way to Igbo presidency is to support Buhari in 2019.
Mustapha said the region must support the party this time around in its own interest, adding that the local chapters of APC across the South East should open the doors to new members.
He said: “This is the time to open your arms and your doors to even those that are perceived as enemies, you must have a large heart to receive them.
“That is why Mr. President himself specifically directed the party to consider the provisions of waiver as provided for in our constitution.
“Why is he saying that?
“It is because in this game there are no permanent enemies or friends.
“The dynamics of politics can change and people that you perceive today are not with you, will be with you tomorrow.
“So, your ability to receive them with grace will determine whether they will feel welcome or isolated.”
But on Thursday, Fashola changed the narrative when he urged the people of South West to vote for President Buhari in the 2019 elections to guarantee a return of power to the region in 2023.
The minister stated this at a special Town Hall Meeting on infrastructure organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Fashola, who spoke in Yoruba language and with a proverb, said: “Did you know that power is rotating to the South West after the completion of Buhari’s tenure if you vote for him in 2019?
“Your child cannot surrender her waist for an edifying bead and you will use the bead to decorate another child’s waist.
“A vote for Buhari in 2019 means a return of power to the South West in 2023.
“I am sure you will vote wisely.”