Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the idea of denying the Igbo people a chance to lead Nigeria due to past secession attempts or conflicts like the Biafran War. He emphasized that it would be unjust and against the principles of national unity to marginalize the South-East based on historical grievances. Obasanjo highlighted the need for fairness, pointing out that other regions, such as the South-West and South-South, have already had their turns to lead the country, and excluding the South-East would be unfair and detrimental to Nigeria’s unity.
Obasanjo’s remarks reflect a broader debate about zoning the presidency to different regions to promote inclusivity and prevent any ethnic group from feeling alienated. Many believe that after years of political exclusion, it is time for the South-East, which has not yet produced a president in modern Nigeria, to have its turn. Obasanjo himself is a strong proponent of this view, and he continues to call for equitable political representation across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
