The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, on Sunday
rubbished statement credited to Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential
Advisory Committee on Corruption, PACAC, that North was interested in retaining
power in 2023.
AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima in an interview with
Dailypost warned that the North cannot be intimidated by anybody on the issue
of 2023 presidency.
Shettima, while insisting on competence as criteria for
picking the next president, described Sagay’s remarks as sad and unfortunate.
He explained that he and some Northern voices have been
clamouring for competence in picking Buhari’s successor in the interest of
fairness and equity to all Nigerians.
According to Shettima: “It is unfortunate that the likes of
Itse Sagay whom we are looking up to as one of those who should think normal
and do things well based on his experience as a very good lawyer, could say
things like that.
“As somebody of his status, one could have expected him to
think beyond the way he is but sadly be’s not, and it’s very unfortunate.
“He abrogated so much powers to himself, believing that he
can do and undo, that’s what he’s trying to do.
“Well, nobody can intimidate the North. That some of us
decided to say no about the North retaining power was not because we are scared
of anybody, this is democracy. And if we choose to do that, we can mobilise,
canvass and stand by our word. But for the sake of equity, fairness for all, we
advocated for a level playing ground so that any Nigerian can bid for the
office of the presidency.
“Nigerians would have to decide who comes whether from the
South East, South-South, Southwest, Northeast, Northwest or central, it’s
strictly the prerogative of Nigerians to decide.
“But that somebody or any political party would sit down and
arrogate to themselves at this era as the country is and are saying power must
go to a particular part of the country, then they are doomed. Those days are
gone.
“However, on the ground of competence, if you are sure of
yourself and have what it takes then come into the arena so that Nigerians will
decide. But that somebody would sit in his comfort zone and begin to make noise
is unacceptable and we won’t take it.
“We want to have a just society and we want it built in a
country where we all will be proud of. And on that basis, some of us changed
our previous ground not because somebody persuaded us but we felt let’s decide
what’s good for the country. We said others should come home with their best
and we too will do the same and let the people decide.
“It’s about voting and not a war, so it’s unacceptable that
somebody would sit down and imagine something in his head because he has
complex issues, there is no strategy about the stand by some of us that
presidency should be based on competency. It’s not out of fear, we just felt
let it be so.”
Sagay had in another interview, claimed that
a section of the North was against zoning ahead of the 2023 presidential
election in order to keep power in the region after President Muhammadu
Buhari’s tenure.
The PACAC Chairman also berated those clamouring for
competence as the primary criterion for choosing the next president as being
“too clever”.
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