Former United States of America (USA) diplomat, who served as ambassador to a number of countries, including Honduras and Iraq, John Dmitri Negroponte has supported the opinion of former President Ibrahim Babangida on the best candidate for the position of President of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections.
Recall, the former President had a few weeks ago in a well-circulated video interview, mentioned the likes of former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu as a good presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
John Negroponte who also served as the U.S. representative to the United Nations (UN; 2001–04) called on Nigerians to support a Presidential candidate, not above 70 years old, with global business experience and a robust network of contacts of friends and associates across the nooks and crannies of the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Virginia, the USA, Negroponte who was one-time Director of National Intelligence under President George Bush of USA, stressed that Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa can attain giant heights through credible leadership.
The renowned diplomat stated that just as former President Babangida mentioned, the likes of Orji Kalu, a highly detribalized Nigerian with robust accomplishments in the global business circle, who currently serves as chief whip of Senate in Nigeria, can champion a good course for Nigerians if given opportunity.
He called on Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue as a tool for fostering national development.
The renowned diplomat used the opportunity to convey his greetings to former President Babaginda on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, there are agitations for a candidate of South-East extraction to emerge as President.
Orji Kalu, who served as two-term Governor of Abia state was a one-time Presidential candidate under the platform of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) in the 2007 presidential election.
