President Muhammadu Buhari  on Tuesday said that the Igbo had the political right to rule the country, adding that at the appropriate time, the North would lend its full support.

President Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha stated this during the South-East mega rally of the APC with the theme ‘South-East All Progressives Congress (APC) Rally for Buhari’ which was held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the Imo State capital.

He said the politics of rulership was anchored on a game of strength, calling on the Igbo and other ethnic configurations  in the country to consider the unity of others in order to actualize their dreams of ruling the country.

While accusing the Igbo race of playing unpalatable politics in the past, the president urged them to throw their weight behind him in his 2019 re-election bid if they must enhance their chances of ruling the nation in the nearest future.

“In 2015, Igbo played bad politics like Owelle rightly acknowledged and that Igbo people are not good starters, but when they start, they have the capacity to overtake. I assure you that the Igbo nation is ready to overtake other parts of this country in 2019.

“The election in 2019 for the Igbo nation is an election that will determine or mar your chances. I want to appeal to you that this is not about party but about the Igbo nation.

“And I am calling on the Igbo nation and brothers in the Diaspora and in this land to have a paradigm shift and think seriously about their nation and position in this country.

“I have had opportunity to speak with Igbo leaders and I told them that the Presidency of Nigeria has always been negotiated and you can only negotiate on the basis of strength.

“If you’re weak, then you don’t have a chance and your position of strength will be determined by the votes you give to Buhari in 2019,” he said.