The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has
commended northern governors in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for backing
power shift to the south.
On Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari, while meeting
presidential hopefuls, reportedly said the southern region should produce the
presidential standard-bearer of the APC.
In a statement on Sunday, Edwin Clark, elder statesman; Ayo
Adebanjo, Afenifere leader; Pogu Bitrus, president-general of Middle Belt
Forum, and George Obiozor, president-general of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide,
said the decision of the APC governors has provided a “glimmer of hope”.
They said the APC has demonstrated that it is a truly “national political party” that is committed to the unity, peace and progress of the country.
“We totally endorse
the conclusions of the APC governors and political leaders from the Northern
states of Nigeria, after their meeting yesterday; that after eight years of
northern presidency under President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential
candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections should
come from the southern states of Nigeria, ‘in the interest of building a
stronger, more united and more progressive country’, they said.
“This is in tandem with our long-held position on the
rotation of the presidency, and deserves 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.
”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 APC has not only ingratiate
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.”
They appealed to southern presidential hopefuls in the party
to close ranks and produce a consensus candidate.
“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
group said.
“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.”
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