As the battle for the 2023 presidential election heats up in Nigeria, Northern-based groups led by the Arewa Coalition for Rotational Presidency have come out vehemently against aspirants from the north, claiming that it would be unfair for the north to maintain power after eight years.
The organization also promised to rise up and mobilise against any presidential candidates from the north who dare to run for office under any political party during the general elections.
According to a joint statement issued by the chairman, Abdullahi Biu, and the secretary, Hamza Malumfashi, it would be fair and right for President Muhammadu Buhari’s seat to return to the south once his term was up.
The statement further read, “The current brewing political tension stirred by the call for power shift to the south by Southern Governors and groups can only be doused, when all Stakeholders from the North, Governors and political parties agree to the Presidency.
“In the interest of peace; equity and Justice, more so, that the north has been in power for eight years now, the idea of north even contesting for the highly exalted position of the President should be immediately jettisoned.
“All those pick nomination forms, especially from the Peoples Democratic Party should step down if there are true democrats.
“As a group of democrats from the 19 Northerner states, we strongly believe in the principle of equity and fairness as a panacea for peace; progress and, thus our resolve support rotation of power to our brothers in the southern region.
“It is against this background that we are Advising all the political parties, especially the two major parties, APC and PDP to field only southern candidates.”