As the arguments on the zoning of the presidency in 2023 continue to occupy national discourse ahead of the 2023 general elections, foremost human rights activist and former Senator, Shehu Sani has asserted that northern politicians do not appear prepared to cede power to the south.
Africa Today News, New York reports that although the main opposition party – People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has already thrown the contest for it’s ticket open to every region, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has not decided on where to zone it’s ticket.
Speaking in Asaba, Delta State at a seminar organised by Asaba Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sani claimed that it was likely that a northerner would pick the ticket of the PDP.
Sani noted that the ruling APC was only playing a cat and mouse game with PDP, adding that if a northerner picks the ticket of the opposition party, the APC may likely to follow suit.
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Senator Sani however advised the ruling party to honour it’s words if there was any agreement that there would be power transfer to the south in 2023.
He said politicians can’t continue to accept the principle of federal character and at the same time, kick against zoning.
‘APC is playing cat and mouse game with PDP. If the opposition fields a northern candidate, APC will field a northerner.
‘This is because of the belief that the poorest of the poor in the north vote according to the dictates of their leaders. That is the sentiment.
‘The unity in the north is not in the south. The North-East, North-West and North-Central will vote for a northern candidate, but it is not so in the south.
‘APC is afraid of zoning their ticket to the south because if they do so, and a northerner emerges PDP flag bearer, the ruling party may lose the presidential election,’ Sani stated.
He went on to add that if the opposition party was really desirous of taking over power, it should avoid internal bickering, and unite as a force, take advantage of the appalling situation in the country to articulate it’s points.