The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and present Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu has sent out a warning to political parties against picking its presidential candidates from the north, declaring that governors of the southern states would reject any candidate from the north.
The Ondo Governor also predicted that any political party who goes on to present a northern candidate in the 2023 presidential poll would lose.
He said governors from the south of the country under the auspices of the Southern Governors Forum are determined to ensure that Nigeria’s next president was from the south.
He said those working against power rotation in the country are tinkering with the existence of Nigeria.
The governor stated this during a courtesy visit by members of a group, Power Rotation Movement, led by its Chairman, Dr Pogu Bitrus, who also doubles as the Chairman, Middle Belt Forum.
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He commended the group for its approach in involving youths in galvanising support and votes ahead of the 2023 election.
Said Akeredolu: ‘In about two or three meetings, we have come out and declared that power must move to the south. Only a party that is determined to lose will field a northern candidate. You are now a movement of members of political parties coming together. What we stand for is fair and equitable power rotation. The only thing fair is that after eight years in the north, it should come to the south.
‘Some of us believe in one Nigeria that’s fair and equitable. We have a reason for it and it can be defended. Some people have argued that the presidency should be based on competence. Are they saying there are no competent ones in the south?
‘My brother governors from the south, all of us are determined. Whosoever we pick, for as long as it is south, we will support him. We are saying the president must come from the south. There are people who merit it in the South-South, South- East, and the South-West.
‘I also support your approach. If you are able to mobilise the youths and do not allow the election to be rigged, then we will win. You should also get our women to support us.’
Chairman of the movement, Dr. Bitrus, explained to the governor that there are passionate believers that power should rotate in this country and should move from the north to the south.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
