In a surprise move, Northern Governors of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and Northern Leaders, have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse a Southerner as his successor in office.
In a statement signed by eleven of them, the Governors and Leaders said: “After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the Southern States of Nigeria.”
Affirming that their stand had nothing to do with the decision taken by the PDP, the Governors and Leaders said it was a matter of honour.
“It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party. We affirm that upholding this principle is in the intersr of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country”, they said.
By the stand they took, the APC has pulled the rug from under the feet of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which, on May 28, 2022, elected former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku as its candidate.
The Southern Governors Forum, ably led by the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had unanimously, insisted on the rotation of the Presidential seat to the South after Buhari’s eight years in office. The PDP Leadership did not adhere to that.
Based on the decision of the Northern Governors, Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, a Presidential aspirant, immediately withdrew from the race.
Unconfirmed sources said that Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, both aspirants, have been asked to withdraw.
However, Lawan has continued with his aspiration, sealing a working arrangement with Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, also an aspirant.
Both men pledged to support each other in the event one of them gets the ticket. Umahi is eyeing the Vice Presidential slot in the event that Lawan picks the ticket.
Following is the full text of the Statement by the eleven APC Northern Governors and political leaders from the North.
Statement by Northern States’ APC Governors and Political Leaders
“APC governors and political leaders from the northern states of Nigeria today met to review the political situation and to further support our Party in providing progressive leadership amidst our national challenges. During our discussions, we welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation to governors and other stakeholders to contribute to the emergence of a strong presidential candidate for the APC.
“After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the southern states of Nigeria. It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party. We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.
“We, therefore, wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to our compatriots from the southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badaru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.
“The APC has a duty to ensure that the 2023 elections offer a nation-building moment, reaffirming that a democratic pathway to power exists for all who value cooperation and build national platforms. This moment calls for the most sober and inclusive approach to selecting our party’s candidate, and we call on all APC leaders to fulfil their responsibility in this regard.
Signed, 4th June 2022:
Aminu Bello Masari Governor of Katsina State
Abubakar Sani Bello Governor of Niger State
Abdullahi A. Sule Governor of Nasarawa State
Prof. B.G. Umara Zulum Governor of Borno State
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai Governor of Kaduna State
Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya Governor of Gombe State
Bello M. Matawalle Governor of Zamfara State
Simon Bako Lalong Governor of Plateau State
Senator Aliyu Wamakko Former Governor of Sokoto State
Dr. A.U. Ganduje Governor of Kano State
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu Governor of Kebbi State”
The APC Presidential Primaries is scheduled for between June 6 to June 7.
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