Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Laud Buhari, Northern APC Governors for Conceding Presidency to South
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), has described the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari and Northern Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to concede the party’s 2023 presidential ticket to the South, as a remarkable political development in the country.
SMBLF, in a release jointly issued on Sunday by its Leaders, Chief Edwin Clark; Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; President-General of Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus; and President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador George Obiozor, applauded President Buhari, the Northern Governors and political leaders of the APC for their support for the rotation of the presidency to the south in 2023.
According to the leaders, the decision by the APC Northern leaders to back the emergence of a presidential candidate of the party from the Southern part of the country was a remarkable development and fetched huge relief to well-meaning Nigerians, from the needless political theatrics.
They also endorsed the conclusions of the APC governors and political leaders from northern Nigeria, that after eight years of northern presidency under President Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should come from the south, “in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.”
This, the leaders said, was in tandem with SMBLF long-held position on the rotation of the presidency, and therefore, deserved commendation.
“Just when the nation’s future and political fortunes were looking dimmest, with all sorts of appalling shenanigans, the President and the Northern APC governors, have provided a glimmer of hope; indicating that some of our politicians still cherish the ‘oneness’ of Nigeria beyond parochial, political reparations. And, despite certain reservations, this decision has occasioned a level of optimism that perhaps, all hope is not yet lost for the country.
“And by this development, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has not only ingratiated itself with the people of Southern Nigeria, the Middle Belt region, and indeed, all true lovers of democracy, equity, fairness and justice, but has also demonstrated that it is a truly “national” political party that is committed to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
“We commend the courage and patriotism of Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, for heeding the ‘patriotic advice’ of his colleagues and withdrawing his presidential aspiration. And further urge all other Northern presidential aspirants under the APC and other parties, to withdraw likewise, in the national interest.
“We also appeal to the Southern APC presidential aspirants to close ranks, as suggested by President Buhari, and present a credible consensus candidate that we will represent and protect the interest of all Nigerians. We further restate our call on the people of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region, as well as, all well-meaning Nigerians, to, as a sacred obligation to the nation, not vote for any political party that does not present a southern candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
“The Forum warns politicians, who place their ambitions over and above the health of the polity that the nation cannot afford to fritter away the labours of our heroes, past and present, by allowing such self-seeking politicians to, callously and carelessly, jettison arrangements and understandings that have sustained the oneness and stability of the country over the years.”
Also, the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, has hailed its Northern counterparts, for resolving to allow a candidate from the south become the presidential standard bearer of the party in the 2023 general election.
The forum, in a statement by its Chairman and Governor of Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said the action of the Northern Governors was another landmark achievement in the party’s quest for understanding, rapprochement and continual engagements for mutual beneficence.
The governors also appealed to all aspirants from the Northern state, including Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries.
“We, therefore, wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari, that the search for his successor as the APC Presidential Candidate be limited to our compatriots from the Southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the Northern state to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries,”the statement read.
The forum further expressed delight with the decision of Governor Badru to contribute to the patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.
“We are delighted by the decision of our esteem colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badru, to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration. We did not expect anything short of this heart-warming decision from our colleagues, great patriots and reliable partners in the collaborative efforts geared towards the attainment of nationhood for our dear country.
“This is indeed another landmark achievement in our quest for understanding, rapprochement and continual engagements for mutual beneficence. We acknowledge this courageous stance for equity and moral rectitude. We applaud the zeal and determination of our brothers to engage realistically and honestly.
“We salute this uncommon resolve to confront issues militating against the march towards nationhood and ultimate greatness. By this gesture, we are convinced of the seriousness of our colleagues to join other patriots in ensuring that the ascendant march towards stability, progress and prosperity is not truncated by indiscretion.
“We congratulate our brother Governor, Abubakar Badaru, for his exemplary conduct. Posterity will remember him for good. We thank the leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at this crucial moment.”
