2023: Atiku, Tambuwal, Other Northerners’ Ambition Shaky As South Closes Ranks

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidential ambition of a number of Northerners against 2023 is getting shaky day by day.

As things unfold, it seems that a Northerner will succeed Buhari if either of three things happen.

One if the two main Political Parties in the country, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, both zone their Presidential tickets to the North. For now, both seem to be spying on each other. It, however, according to sources, seem that the APC, is all set to zone the ticket to the South.

If it does, it is likely to be between the South-south and the South-west. Even though the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has declared interest in the office under the APC, reliable sources told this medium that he does not come into the calculation.

Umahi, a two- term serving Governor which he won under the banner of the PDP, inexplicably decamped to the APC midway into his second term in office. As far as the Presidential ticket is concerned, not a few high profile APC members say they will not allow him to reap where he did not sow. They allege that Umahi defected to the Party for the sole reason of running for the office of the President.

The second is,  if it is possible for a Northern candidate to win and become the President without winning any State in the South and/or scoring 25% in 2/3 of the States in the South.

The third is if some Southern States go against the sentiments in the zone and vote for a Nothern candidate. Already, at least, in the PDP, two states are supporting two different Northern candidates, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

The Southern Governors Forum, on two separate occasions, in a communique after its meeting, insisted that the office of the President must rotate to the South, after President Muhammadu Buhari’s two terms in office which will end in May 2023.

A few days ago, the tough talking Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, warned that Nigeria will shake when the South collectively takes a position, soon, on 2023.

On Tuesday, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who is, also, the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum said any political party which fields a Northern Presidential candidate in 2023 will fail. Meaning: The South will not vote for a Northern candidate.

Akeredolu warned that any party which fields a Northern candidate in the 2023 Presidential election would not win.

The Governor who spoke on Tuesday in Akure, emphasized that Governors in the Southern part of the country,  under the auspices of the Southern Governors Forum,  are determined to ensure that next President comes from the south.

Akeredolu spoke during a courtesy visit by members of a group, Power Rotation Movement, led by the Chairman, Dr Pogu Bitrus, who also doubles as the Chairman, Middle Belt Forum.

Other members of the Group include the Co-chair, General Collins Ihekire, (rtd), representing the Ohaneze Ndigbo; National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Kole Omololu; representative of Yoruba Council of Elders,  Ayodele Oni; National Publicity Secretary of Afenfere, Jaye Ajayi; National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson; and Kennedy Iyere, National Coordinator of Power-shift Movement & Forty Million Ballots ( a movement being driven by the Youth) among others.

Akeredolu who pointed out that those pushing against the power rotation in the country are tinkering with the existence of Nigeria, added that he believes in one fair and equitable Nigeria.

He commended the Group for its approach,  involving youths in galvanizing support and votes ahead of the 2023 election.

“In about two or three meetings, we have come out and declared that power must move to the South.

“Only a party that is determined to lose will field a Northern candidate. You are now a movement of members of political parties coming together.

“What we stand for is fair and equitable power rotation. The only thing fair is that after eight years in the north, it should come to the south.

“Some of us believe in One Nigeria that’s fair and equitable. We have a reason for it and it can be defended.

“Some people have argued that the Presidency should be based on competence. Are they saying there are no competent ones in the south?

“My brother Governors from the South, all of us, are determined. Whosoever we pick, for as long as it is South, we will support him.

“We are saying the President must come from the South. There are people who merit it in the South-South, South- East, and the South-West.

“I also support your approach. If you are able to mobilize the youth and do not allow the election to be rigged, then we will win. You should also get our women to support us.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the movement, Dr Pogu Bitrus, explained to the Governor that the Movement is passionate about power rotation to the south.

“We are passionate believers that power should rotate in this country and should move from the north to the south.

“We launched the 40 million ballot movement. That’s the sensitization of the youth. We launched it for our youth to key in.

“Leaders in the South and Middle Belt met in Abuja and agreed that power should rotate to the south, that the middle belt and the south should move against any party that fields any candidate outside the southern part of the country.”

If the Southern Governors keep to their stand, and considering the powers they wield during elections, 2023 may turn out to be another disappointment for Atiku, a perennial Presidential aspirant, and Tambuwal who is contesting for the second time, as well as Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who is warming up to contest fir the first time.