2023: We’ll Only Support Presidential Candidate From S’South, S’East Regions – Group
As parties and organizations fine-tune strategies ahead of the 2023 Presidential election in the country, a civil society group, South-South & South-East Assembly, has pledged to lend it’s weight behind any credible candidate from either of the regions, presented by any political party.
Speaking during its inauguration at the Autograph Events Center in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the group which claims political neutrality, said the South-South South-East regions would not afford to repeat previous mistakes to allow a shift in power to other regions of the country for reasons of disunity.
Chairman, National Working Council and Director-General of the Assembly, Comrade Bartholomew Gerald Aguugo while speaking at the occasion, said the group will join well-meaning citizens from the regions to shop for Presidential material with the right pedigree and competence to lead the country.
His words, “We must make haste while the day tarries and select that man or woman with the socio-political, economic and leadership capacity to represent us, because as a matter of tenacity, we must not fail this time around.
“However, it should be noted that only candidates whose ideals are compatible with this new drive for development, justice and togetherness of our people will be adopted”.
Comrade Aguugo while noting that plurality ought to be a source of strength among the people of the South-South and their South-East brothers, regretted that the reverse became the case, saying the group has been birthed to, as he put it, ‘unshackle our people from the awful mindset of divisionism’.
He said the result of the divisions have led to set backs and political relegations in matters of National leadership.
Aguugo however, urged leaders in the South-South and South-East to think nationally rather than magnifying what he called ‘little dichotomy existing between us’.
In her charge to members of the National Working Committee, Chairman Board of Trustees, Professor Julie Umukoro urged them to live up to their responsibilities and ensure the realization of the objective of the Assembly
“You are going to take responsibility because if the team fails, you have failed. But you won’t fall by God’s grace. As the conscience of the Assembly, you must ensure its success. You must build a solid foundation because a boat that is not stable will rock”, she said.
The event which attracted representatives from eleven states of the South-South and South-East regions of the country saw the constitution of the NWC with Apostle Patrick Nwanze and Chief Ken Osunwa, amongst others as members.
