Lecturers of tertiary institutions under the aegis of Academic Frontier Initiative (AFI) have disclosed its readiness to root for Igbo presidency, come 2023.

In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, National Secretary, Dr. Tochukwu Oguegbe and Prof. Robert Dode, the National Publicity Secretary, the group said it had become imperative and expedient for political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the South East in the spirit of equity and fairness.

According to them, no person from the South East has ever held sway to the highly coveted position since 1999 and it’s high time the Igbo produced a President in Nigeria.

The statement issued on Thursday reads in part: “The South East region have many qualified and eminent personalities who can steer the leadership of the country without any form of marginalisation.

“As academic group involving lecturers from all over Nigeria, we are ready to meet with every stakeholder in the six geopolitical zones in the country. We want every political party to zone its flagship to anyone they deemed fit in the south east.”

The group therefore called on all political parties and Nigerians to support as president, a person of Igbo extraction, remarking that it would address the economic and security challenges facing Nigeria.

News Express reports that recently, that former Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; ex-Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih; ex-Anambra Central Senator, Ben Obi; National Chairman, African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu; and Chief Tanko Yinusa of National Consultative Front (NCFront), have all joined the clamour for a President of Igbo extraction in 2023.

The quintet, who spoke at the unveiling of ‘Global Movement for Igbo President 2023’ in Awka, said the South East deserved to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor since no one from the zone has occupied the position since 1999.

They further urged more Nigerians to support the clamour in the spirit of justice, equity, peace, unity and fairness, while warning Ndigbo not to work against their own interest.

Academic Frontier Initiative is a non-partisan group made up of tertiary institutions lecturers across Nigeria.