The political leaders include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had actually contested for presidency on three events, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and an ex-governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso. While neither of them had yet to formally declare their presidential quote, there are strong indications they are eyeing the exalted position.

Kwankwaso, while featuring on Sunday Politics, an existing affairs program on Channels Television on Sunday, dismissed the power rotation in between the North and the South.

However the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, which consists of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; the South-East socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and the Middle Belt Forum, advised all parties to zone their presidential ticket to the South ahead of the 2023 governmental election, including that the South and the Middle Belt would not choose a northern presidential candidate in 2023.

The need is consisted of in a communiqué released at the end of a conference of the management of the groups in Abuja on Thursday.

The communiqué was signed by senior statesmen, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo (leader of Afenifere), Prof. George Obiozor (President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo) and Dr Pogu Bitrus (National President, Middle Belt Forum).

Also at the event were the National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Senator Emmanuel Essien, in addition to former governors and ministers.

The leaders fixed that the extant constitution and structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and uneven. They for that reason demanded the basic restructuring of the nation by enacting a brand-new constitution that would enthrone justice, fairness and equity.

The communiqué even more check out, “The northern part of the nation would have fully enjoyed the workplace of the Presidency of the country for the complete statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, the Presidency must turn to the South.

“Therefore, we unquestionably, and completely resolve, call on all political celebrations in the country to zone their governmental tickets to the South and advise that any political celebration that does not zone its governmental ticket to the South need to not anticipate assistance from the four areas.”

The group kept in mind that the basis of any viable democracy, particularly in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power.

The leaders condemned the continued senseless killings of innocent people throughout the country by wrongdoers and terrorists, especially in the North-West and called on the government and security firms to enhance efforts to protect the lives and residential or commercial property of Nigerians.

They cautioned the National Assembly to only give consideration to expenses that would promote equity, justice, peace and nationwide cohesion instead of concerns that would exacerbate crises in the country.

Others who participated in the meeting include former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom; former Governor of Akwa Ibom; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a previous Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Bozimo; Senator Femi Okurounmu, Senator Bassey Henshaw, Solomon Asemota (SAN), Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana (SAN), Major General Henry Ayoola (retd.), Amb. Okey Emuchay and others.

ToriNG