A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Barrister Peter Agubuzu, has dismissed as “misplaced”, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu’s remark that the Igbo cannot wait 60 years to become President of Nigeria for just four years.
Kalu made the remark while criticising some South-East stakeholders who are advocating a single four-year presidential term for the region, reportedly referring to the position expressed by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the NDC, that he would serve only one term if elected President.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress, APC, Women’s rally in Enugu, on Saturday, the Deputy Speaker said: “Let me say this: some people are going around telling us that they have made an agreement that Igbos will go for the Presidency for four years, as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, had said he would serve as Nigeria’s President for only four years if he is elected.”
Reacting on Sunday, Agubuzu, a senior lawyer, challenged Kalu to appreciate the immediate economic concerns of Nigerians rather than frame the debate around a 60-year wait for the South-East to produce a President.
“While Nigerians across the country are chanting ‘Tinubu Must Go’ because of the economic hardship they are experiencing and their fear of a worsening economic crisis if Tinubu is re-elected, our brother, the Deputy Speaker is talking about 60 years.
“He forgot that Obi’s primary objective is to transform Nigeria from consumption to production to lift millions out of poverty. This why Nigerians are chanting Tinubu Must Go,” Agubuzu retorted.
He maintained that Peter Obi’s central concern is how to rescue the country from mounting economic hardship and restore hope to millions of Nigerian citizens struggling with the rising cost of living.
“What Nigerians are saying is straightforward: Peter Obi should come and salvage the country from the impending economic disaster they fear will follow if President Tinubu is re-elected. Nigerians are worried about their survival, their livelihoods and the future of their children. That is the urgent issue before us—not a speculative debate about waiting 60 years for an Igbo President,” Agubuzu declared.
The NDC chieftain argued that the debate over a single presidential term should be approached in the broader context of the inestimable value of zoning convention viz – national unity, equity and political inclusion.
He urged political leaders to listen to the concerns of ordinary Nigerians and focus on practical solutions to the country’s economic difficulties rather than allowing the debate over regional presidential entitlement to overshadow the demand for effective leadership.