By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Sen. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, has said the South-East must wait for a more “favourable political moment” to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that current realities do not support an Igbo bid for the nation’s top office.
During an interview on ChannelsTV monitored by Persecondnews on Wednesday evening, the lawmaker spoke against the backdrop of intensifying debate over zoning and succession politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly calls for the South-East to produce the next president.
He pointed out that the aspiration remains legitimate, however timing is very critical.
“It is very clear that the political permutation as at present does not favor an Igbo man to be president of Nigeria. We must tell ourselves the truth… we know the best time to strike to get the number one seat.”
Nwebonyi further stressed that the region must align strategically with broader national interests, saying: “We can’t be deceived all the time; all Nigerians will support us when the time is right.”
He urged the Southeast to be patient in its political negotiations within the federation, adding that politics is about timing and alignment.
According to Sen. Nwebonyi, the current national dynamics should not be misread as exclusion,
“Nobody is shutting out the Igbo. What we are saying is that leadership is not only about sentiment, it is about structure, numbers, and national consensus.”
He maintained that the region still has significant opportunities within the existing political arrangement.
On the chances of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East ahead of 2027, he expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would improve his performance in the region, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and federal appointments.
“It goes without saying that President Tinubu and other APC candidates will win in Southeast come 2027,” he said.
Nwebonyi also addressed reports of a brief disruption in the Senate involving Senate President and Adams Oshiomhole earlier in the day, describing the incident as trivial and already resolved.
On the recent amendments to the Senate Standing Rules, he described them as constitutionally backed and necessary to strengthen legislative procedures, citing Section 60 of the Constitution.
According to him, key changes include a provision that only sworn-in senators, not senators-elect can participate in the election of presiding officers, and a requirement of at least eight years legislative experience for leadership aspirants.
He said the reforms were meant to preserve institutional memory and strengthen legislative leadership.
“It is not targeted at anybody. it is aimed at ensuring experience and institutional memory in leadership.”
Addressing the broader economic situation, Nwebonyi acknowledged public hardship but distanced the current administration from being the root cause of the crisis.
“All is not well, but the problems did not start today. The present administration is not the cause of the problems of this country. President Tinubu is doing his best to make the country work,” he added.
The remarks come as political tensions rise over zoning and power rotation, signaling an early start to the maneuvering for the 2027 general elections.
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