The South-East must work extra hard to convince other parts of Nigeria to accept its candidate for the presidential election in 2023, according to Alhaji Tanko Yakasai.

Tanko, an ex Liaison Officer and founding member of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) revealed this to newsmen after a closed-door peace initiative by a few Nigerians at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

According to him, the South-East should, however, not be denied the chance to produce the presidential slot in four years time because every other region have had their chance.

He then added that the politicians representing the South-East must also know that politics is all about the numbers, not sentiments.

His words, “There is no reason to deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the presidential slot in 2023.

“The North, West have had it. It will not make sense to deny the South-East. But then, the Igbos have to work hard for power and convince people because it is a matter of numbers.

“They have to convince the rest of the country to accept whoever they put forward to be accepted.”

“In our days, nobody ever claimed to be the owner of NPN, NCNC, NPP among others. The people must make sure they take ownership of the party.

“I hope the people will try to turn the parties to the masses. The mistake former President Olusegun Obasanjo made to say he was the national leader of a party killed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),”

“In our days, we pay to be members of our party. That way, no one or few persons can control the party. The beginning has a bearing on the process,”

“Political parties must find a solution to do away with issues that will make the people sceptical.”

“If Amotekun is allowed, soon it may spill over to other regions and may become out of control when other regions come up with armed security outfits that may lead to uncontrollable situation in the country.

”Every Nigerian is interested in Nigerian project. Every Nigerian is benefitting from Nigeria as a nation.”