By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Some leaders and members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) under the aegis of North Central APC Forum have insisted on the emergence of the next President from the zone, saying that it is time for the zone to produce the next president of the country come 2023.
The Group also said the North Central will not compromise the 2023 Presidency for any other position because it is time the president to come from the region for the sake of “equity and fairness”.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, told newsmen in Jos the Plateau State capital that the North Central would not compromise the 2023 Presidency for any other position because it is time the president to come from the region for the sake of equity and fairness.
He said as a forum with a mission to uplift the North Central zone,”We are much engaged in initiating political activities that would benefit the region, and that they will not back down on their decision for the emergence of the next president from the region.
Zazzaga said, “As loyal APC leaders/members, we have been working for the success of the party in one way or the order, and whatever we do, we always have the success of the party at heart.
He explained that forming a forum to project the North Crntral region is legitimate, pointing out that even among the governors, legislators and local government chairmen, there are forums within representing divers regions of the country.
“And so for us, our aim is for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the North Central. This is because apart from the military era, since the democratic dispensation the region hasn’t actually produced either the president or the Vice President, but has largely contributed to the democratic growth in the nation. it would be fair and equitable therefore, for the presidency to be zoned to the region,” he said.
He stressed that though they remain loyal and committed APC leaders,/members, but they are liaising with other stakeholders, interest groups as well as members of other political parties with whom they share the same ideology on the 2023 presidency, so that they can all have a common struggle for the region.
Zazzaga called on the APC national leaders to carefully consider their quest, adding that the 2023 presidency is very critical and so the APC should not make any mistake in its choice of the party flagbearer as the leading opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is waiting for any ‘wrong’ move from the APC to capitalize on it and spring a surprise.
He pointed out that the feud about the Acting Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra ordinary convention planning committee between Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni and his Niger State counterpart, Abubakar Sani Bello, is not good for the progress of the party.
He called for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue, noting however that regardless of the Governor (among the two) or anyone that would chair the convention committee of the party, their request still remain that a North Central Presidential candidate.
On the APC National Chairmanship position, he said they had previously issued a warning to those APC leaders wanting to contest the chairmanship seat from the region, because that would affect their target of 2023 presidency from the North Central.
But some of them, he said, are still hellbent on going on with their intension and they would not accept that.
He said the likes of Abdullahi Adamu, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the rest veying for the position are doing it for their selfish aim and not for the good of the North Central region.
