By PETER ANOSIKE

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nelson Ahamefula Akuma, has said that 2027 is the best chance for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction to emerge.

Speaking while reacting to the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), in the South East, he said that “Ndigbo cannot wait till 2039 to try their luck.”

He wondered what Bola Tinubu is offering “the so called South East leaders in exchange for relinquishing its only viable shot at the presidency in 24 years at this time when geopolitical logic, rotation arithmetic national appetite for fairness and bare constitutional equity favours a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.”

According to Akuma, if Tinubu wins in 2027, the rotation matrix becomes1999-2007 South West, 2007-2010 North, 2010-2015 South South, 2015-2023 North and 2023-2031 South West again.

He said that from 2031 to 2039, power would definitely swing back to the North, which means that Igbos are practically being told to wait until 2039 to try their luck at the presidency.

Speaking further, Akuma said that south easterners who have endorsed Tinubu did not do that for the good of the Igbo but rather for selfish interest.

According to him, most of them who are campaigning for Tinubu are looking for appointments, contracts, political insurance and immunity from prosecution by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His words: “Igbos should put on their thinking caps. I know that we are not foolish. C.S Lewis said that one of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts. Avoiding reality is a common act of fear but confronting truth is essential for growth and moral courage. Supporting Bola Tinubu because you stand to personally benefit something is acceptable but telling us that it is in the interest of Igbo nation is a lie from the pit of hell. Why should any Igbo man support Tinubu in 2027.What promises is he making? He cannot promise to hand over to the South East in 2031 because then power would go back to the North till 2039 and then Igbos would be told to try their luck again. You are not even sure if by then another south westerner would not come out again to contest for the ticket. So, our best chance is 2027 and we must not waste the opportunity.”

Akuma appealed to Igbos in different parts of the country to go and get their permanent voters cards and exercise their civic responsibility when the time comes.

Igbos, according to him, constitute over 25 percent of the total population in all the 36 states in the country and as such could make huge impact in any general election.