Why the Igbos may prefer Rotimi Amaechi as the APC presidential candidate

As events continue to unfold in view of the forthcoming presidential polls in the country, the major ethnic groups have been expressing their views on the type of candidate that they will prefer.

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While the political parties are looking at fielding candidates for the presidency that will ensure their victory at the polls, it is argued here that the Igbos may prefer Rotimi Amaechi as the presidential candidate of the APC due to the following reasons.

He is from the South

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is from the South-South region of Nigeria, which is very close in proximity with the Igbos of the South East and has always formed alliances with them.

In the past, we have seen how the Igbos were behind a presidential candidate from the South-South, in the person of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who pulled the most votes from the region during the 2015 general elections.

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Accordingly, in the event that the All Progressive Congress offers their party's presidential ticket to Rotimi, the Igbos may cue behind him the same way they did when another South-South presidential candidate was on the ballot.

He is a Christian.

Unlike other APC presidential candidates like Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State who are Muslims, Rotimi Amaechi is a Christian and may get more support from the Igbos of the Southeast who are predominantly Christians.

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It has been contended that since the current president of the country is a Muslim, handing the APC presidential ticket to another Muslim may not go well with the Christian electorates.

Thus, the current Transport Minister provides a viable option for the APC who may be better received in the southeast if they field a Christian candidate.