By Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
APC governors and political leaders from the northern states of Nigeria, after a meeting yesterday Saturday 5th June, 2022, agreed that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of APC for the 2023 elections should come from one of the southern states of Nigeria.
The governors had met to review the political situation and to further drum support the Party in providing progressive leadership amidst national challenges and lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation to governors and other stakeholders to contribute to the emergence of a strong presidential candidate for the APC.
A statement endorsed 11 mwmbers of the Northern Governors Forum noted that after careful deliberation, they are convinced that it will be an honour, an obligation for the APC to choose its flag bearer from the South and not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party.
They affirmed that upholding the principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and a more progressive country and as such, strongly recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to members from the southern states.
They equally appealed to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south proceed to the primaries.
They congratulated their colleague, Governor Abubakar Badaru, who they said had contributed to the patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.
According to the statement, 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 just as the period calls for the most sober and inclusive approach to selecting the party’s candidate, and called on all APC leaders to fulfil their responsibility in this regard.
The underlisted, signed the statement:
1. Aminu Bello Masari Governor of Katsina State
2. Abubakar Sani Bello Governor of Niger State
3. Abdullahi A. Sule Governor of Nasarawa State
4. Prof. B.G. Umara Zulum Governor of Borno State
5. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai Governor of Kaduna State
6. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya Governor of Gombe State
7. Bello M. Matawalle Governor of Zamfara State
8. Simon Bako Lalong Governor of Plateau State
9. Senator Aliyu Wamakko Former Governor of Sokoto State
10. Dr. A.U. Ganduje Governor of Kano State
11. Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu Governor of Kebbi State
