The Northern States’ All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors have zoned the presidential ticket of the party to the south.
Rising from a meeting on Saturday, the governors in a statement titled: “Statement by Northern States’ APC Governors and Political Leaders” andjointly signed by ten governors and former governor Aliyu Wamakko said “we affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country”.
The governors appealed 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.
Consequently, the statement noted that Gov Badaru of Jigawa state has withdrawn from the presidential race, following zoning of the presidential ticket to the south.
The statement read in full:
“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 anyway 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. We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badaru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.
“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.
Signed, 4th June 2022:
1. Aminu Bello Masari Governor of Katsina State2. Abubakar Sani Bello Governor of Niger State3. Abdullahi A. Sule Governor of Nasarawa State4. Prof. B.G. Umara Zulum Governor of Borno State5. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai Governor of Kaduna State6. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya Governor of Gombe State7. Bello M. Matawalle Governor of Zamfara State8. Simon Bako Lalong Governor of Plateau State9. Senator Aliyu Wamakko Former Governor of Sokoto State10. Dr. A.U. Ganduje Governor of Kano State11. Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu Governor of Kebbi State
