This was stated in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
According to the statement, the two leaders reiterated their support for the South-East region to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor when a team from Ohanaeze visited them.
They were quoted to have said that to ensure peace, justice, fairness and sustainable national development in the country, the next president must come from the South-East zone.
Ohanaeze delegates led by Ohanaeze President General, Prof George Obiozor, on Monday visited the South-West to interface with their leaders.
Among the delegation are Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; former President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo; former President General, Prince Gary Igariwey; Professor Anya O Anya; Chief S N Okeke; and, the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Ogbonnia.
Ogbonnia quoted Obasanjo to have stressed the need for morality, equity and justice in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural country such as Nigeria.
He said the octogenarian told the delegation that it was inconceivable to have peace and progress in a country that is rooted in injustice.
He quoted the former president as saying that “the major issue on hand is how to lift Nigeria from a country to a nation”, and that his government adopted a rotation and sharing formula for six key political offices and government offices across the six geopolitical zones.
“It was the Peoples Democratic Party policy that made it inadvisable to have a candidate from the South to succeed me after my eight years in office as President.
“The federal character, rotation of power and other measures are meant to help our nation-building process and more sure-footedly, move Nigeria forward,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.
