A former Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to pick its presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections from the Southern part of the country.
Shekarau, made the call in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service, adding that a shift of political power is necessary for all Nigerians to have a sense of belonging.
According to him, violating such an arrangement would further divide Nigerians, adding that some would feel neglected or rejected.
The serving senator said: “This is also the same with rotating the presidency between the North and the South. If we ignore power shifts, we are not being fair to ourselves and we are not fair to history. In my opinion, a power shift is necessary for all Nigerians to have a sense of belonging.”
Shekarau, who noted that although rotational presidency was not written in the APC’s constitution, it was desirable for justice and fairness.
“For instance, the present six geopolitical zones are not reflected in Nigeria’s constitution, but it is a good arrangement. You cannot implement any policy in Nigeria without taking geopolitical zones into consideration.
“You see, the North alone cannot produce enough votes for the president. Likewise the South; it is only when we come together. My belief is not only geopolitical regions, there is no state in the federation that does not have a competent person to lead this country.
“I am of the opinion that we should exercise patience and bring our brothers from the South close to us”, he said.
Shekarau also noted that both the PDP and APC faced the same dilemma of where their candidates should come from.
“Each is trying to outsmart the other. My advice to the parties (APC and PDP) is that they should not look at zoning from political exploitation, but what should be just and fair. Fair play and competence of the candidate should be the guiding principle,” he added.
