Northern APC Governors Endorse Sourthern Presidency

The 11 northern governors of the All Progressive Congress (APC), have unanimously decided to support the controversial zoning arrangement by asking President Muhammadu Buhari to focus the search for his successor on the Party’s candidates from Southern Nigeria.

The development, which now settles the dust of zoning in the ruling party – killing the suspense that it has locked Nigerians in, took place during the APC’s presidential primary election in Abuja.

A statement signed by Aminu Bello Masari, governor of Katsina state; Abubakar Sani Bello, governor of Niger; Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa; Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno; Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna among others, pointed to the withdrawal of Abubakar Badaru, governor of Jigawa state, from the presidential race as evidence of their support for the Party’s presidential from the South.

“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 therefore wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammad 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. We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague His Excellency Gov Abubakar Badru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration,” the statement reads.

In response, Southern Governors Forum, headed by Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, issued a statement applauding the decision of their northern counterparts. Southern governors had last year, agreed that for equity to be served, the next Nigerian president must come from the Southern part of the country.

“We received with utmost joy the news of the resolution of the 11 Governors from the Northern Region.

“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. We look forward to conducting a hitch free Convention which will culminate in the election of a suitable candidate who will hoist the flag of the party with a sense of mission,” the statement signed by Akeredolu said.

This trims the APC 23-man presidential aspirant list and means that the search for Buhari’s successor will now be narrowed to only Southern candidates. The major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had last week chosen former vice president Atiku Abubakar, a northern candidate to be their flag bearer. Report from Abuja said some APC’s aspirants are stepping down as Buhari calls for a consensus candidate.