As the race for Nigeria’s 2023 Presidency is heating up, Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo and Senator Representing Imo West and Africa’s foremost Philanthropist has been listed as the only viable candidate from the South-East of Nigeria and also among 7 potential Presidential candidates of the APC. This was stated on Channels TV Sunday Politics anchored by Seun Okinbaloye on its Sunday 17th, 2021 October edition.
It would be recalled that in recent times, there have been clamour for fairness, justice and to instil sense of belonging in the people of South East by calling on political parties to zone their Presidential slot to that region that has not produced a President or even a vice since 1999 while other regions have had their shares. Analysts point to the fact that looking towards the direction of Senator Okorocha by this Channels TV report is predicted by what Nigeria needs now: a unifier, a wealth creator and a leader with a compassionate heart.
As the country is bedevilled with threats of secession by various ethnic groups, it is believed that a President like Okorocha who has heavy investments across the length and breadth of the country, speaks another language beyond his native one, (Hausa) born and bred in the north and empowered by the west, understands and respects other peoples’ religion beyond his, will drive the unity of the country.
Having made money with successful ventures in various business endeavours long before he ventured into politics, it is believed that an Okorocha Presidency will naturally run the country as business and create wealth where the economy will grow, jobs created for restive youths and insecurity is minimized.
It has often been said that a leader must have a compassionate heart to assuage the yearnings of the indigent and the less privileged in the society. This is also seen in Okorocha’s antecedent as his Rochas Foundation established 22 years ago have been taking care of the less privileged in the society, offering them help and training children of such backgrounds free in secondary schools even up to University level.
Going down memory lane, past elected Nigerian leaders have either been teachers (Musa Yaradua, Good luck Jonathan) or military officers (Obasanjo, Buhari). It is instructive to a large extent to remember a wealth creator in the mould of late MKO Abiola who won that famous June 12 election, who also had spread an acceptance across the country. No wonder Okorocha stands out in this regard and the country’s current dispensation.
