All Progressives Congress (APC) governors from the northern states have expressed support for a southerner to emerge as presidential candidate of the party in 2023.
The governors made this known in a statement released at the end of a meeting on Saturday.
The statement was signed by Governor of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Masari; Governor of Niger, Abubakar Sani Bello; Governor of Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule; Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum; and Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai.
Others that signed the statement are Governor of Gombe, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; Governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle; , Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong; Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje; and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
The Northern governors asked northerners in the APC presidential race to withdraw in order to pave way for the emergence of a southerner.
The statement stated that Jigawa governor, Abubakar Badaru has withdrawn from the race “to contribute to this patriotic quest”.
“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 wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in 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.
“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.”