Former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has tendered an open apology to Nigerians over his 2023 Igbo presidency comment.

Okupe on Saturday backed the call for an Igbo president in 2023 but stated that the dream can only be made possible via a national consensus.

He however noted that there won’t be a national consensus until the north forgives the Igbos for the death of the Sardauna of Sokoto.

“A national consensus for Igbo Presidency cannot evolve until the core north forgives the Igbos for the killing of Sardauna of Sokoto by Nigerian soldiers of Igbo extraction in the 1966 coup.

“This is the political knot only the Igbo leaders must spearhead and with the support of other well-meaning Nigerians, resolve with a high level of humility and political dexterity,” he tweeted.

Okupe who served under both ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan received criticisms for his comment from Nigerians, including the Igbo people.

As a result of the backlashes, he was forced to tender an apology to the Igbo people and Nigerians who deemed his previous statement as demeaning.

“I tender my unreserved apology 2 d Igbos & other Nigerians who felt offended by my post on the Igbo presidency and the north.

“I never intended to hurt or demean the Igbos. Instead, I wanted 2 help actualise d dream. I regret d said post, & I am truly sorry,” said Okupe who expressed a desire to contest for the presidency in 2023.