2023: Buhari, 11 Northern Governors back rotation of power to the South

By Ovasa Ogaga

President Muhammadu Buhari, 11 Northern All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors have backed the rotation of power to the South come 2023 general elections.

President Buhari made this known at a dinner with All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Recall that the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu had earlier disclosed this in an interview on Saturday in Abuja.

The meeting may not be unconnected with the modality and resolution on how to reach a truce on who will be the presidential flagbearer of the party in the 2023 general elections.

The Special Convention and Presidential Primary Election will be held in less than 72 hours.

Advocate.ng reports that Buhari had met with the progressive governors on different occasions lately, appealing to them to support him in choosing his successor.

Meanwhile, Governors of northern extraction in the ruling APC have dumped two of their colleagues with presidential ambitions and instead called on President Muhammadu Buhari to support a presidential aspirant from the South, for a power shift to the South in 2023.

The Governors to make good their resolution, asked one of them, Governor Abubakar Badaru to step down from the presidential race and he stepped down.

The position of the governors is an indication that they no longer support the Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Badaru and that of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello who is also in the race for the APC presidential ticket.

At least, 10 of the governors signed a joint statement to that effect.

Those who signed the statement include Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Abdullahi A. Sule (Nasarawa), Prof. B.G. Umara Zulum (Borno), Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe).

Others are, Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and a former Governor of Sokoto state, Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako.

The statement reads; “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 deliberations, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in the 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 any way 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 contributed 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”.