Orji Kalu, senator and former Abia governor, says the presidential aspiration of All Progressives Congress’ chieftain Bola Tinubu is unreasonable and an idea “dead on arrival.” 

Mr Kalu argued that the Igbo should take over from President Muhammadu Buhari because the South-East has not produced a democratically-elected president since Independence. 

“I do not see Tinubu’s aspiration having any effect on the president of Nigeria coming from Igbo,” Mr Kalu said on Channels Wednesday morning. “It has no effect because we are talking based on what Nigeria should be. We are talking based on what people should believe.”

“Obasanjo had been President for eight years, Osinbajo served eight years as vice president and no Igbo man since independence has been democratically-elected president. So it is always good to think of what is reasonable and what will be more sellable,” Mr Kalu said.

Mr Kalu had recently indicated his intention to run for president, despite having an active corruption case pending against him. 

The senator said he had nothing personal against Mr Tinubu, but insisted his presidential bid will be “dead on arrival”. His comments came barely two days after Mr Tinubu declared he would be running for president in 2023, arguing that he is better suited to replace incumbent Muhammadu Buhari. David Umahi, from Mr Kalu’s South-East region, joined Mr Kalu on Tuesday to declare his interest in the Nigerian presidency.