Elder statesman and a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has said that the South east needs to do more work for it to win the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking on Monday on a monitored Channels Television programme, the elder statesman said something is lacking in the way the Southeastern region is treating the quest for the presidency in the next general election.
According to Yakasai, the missing ingredient in the drive by the South east to lead the country in 2023, is the absence of constructive engagement with other regions.
“I am a strong supporter of a president from the South after Buhari and also if he can come from the South east no problem; I will support it.
“The quarrel is that this is not something that you just stay at home and think that people will come to your house to dash it to you.
“You have to show interest, you have to be serious, you have to try to convince people that you are really up to the task.
“This is what in my opinion is missing in the South east,” the politician asserted.
In his viewpoint, there is a desire shown by the region as regards getting the presidency but the people are not exerting their position to manifest their desire and to convince other people.
The activist also said that there is a certain uncertainty in Nigeria about the position of the South east, especially in its handling of Nnamdi Kanu matter.
“There is doubt because this Nnamdi Kanu whom ordinarily would not be a good candidate for the governorship of any of the southeastern states is now claiming the attention and support of prominent people in the South east,” Yakasai stressed.
He said the attention given to Kanu within the region is stirring doubt and causing people to wonder if truly the South east is ready to produce a credible candidate that would serve Nigeria with all his/her heart.
The elder statesman advised that though the card lies now on the desk of the South easterners, the region must try to reach out to garner support for its goal to be achieved when the polls come around.