2023: Southern Governors Commend Northern Colleagues For Zoning Presidency To South

_* Commends Jigawa Gov withdrawal from presidential race_

Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum has commended Northern governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for backing Southern presidency in 2023.

The Southern governors in a statement signed by its Chairman and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also thanked the leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at a crucial moment in the country.

The governors from the Southern region also commended APC presidential aspirant, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State for his exemplary conduct by withdrawing from the presidential race, saying posterity will remember him for good.

It would be recalled that APC Governors from the Northern part of the country on Saturday expressed their support for transfer of power to the South and unanimously agreed that the South should produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor come May 29, 2023.

The governors take the critical decision during a meeting they held in Abuja on Saturday night and issued a communique signed by 11 governors who expressed their support for Southern presidency in 2023.

Reacting to the position of the Northern governors, Governor Akeredolu on behalf of the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum applauded the zeal and determination of the Northern governors to engage realistically and honestly.

The statement reads in part: “We received with utmost joy the news of the resolution of the 11 Governors from the Northern Region.

“We did not expect anything short of this heart-warming decision from our colleagues, great patriots and reliable partners in the collaborative efforts geared towards the attainment of nationhood for our dear country. This is indeed another landmark achievement in our quest for understanding, rapprochement and continual engagements for mutual beneficence.

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“We acknowledge this courageous stance for equity and moral rectitude. We applaud the zeal and determination of our brothers to engage realistically and honestly. We salute this uncommon resolve to confront issues militating against the march towards nationhood and ultimate greatness.”

The Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum stressed further that “By this gesture, we are convinced of the seriousness of our colleagues to join other patriots in ensuring that the ascendant march towards stability, progress and prosperity is not truncated by indiscretion.

“We congratulate our brother Governor, Abubakar Badaru, for his exemplary conduct. Posterity will remember him for good. We thank the leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at this crucial moment.

“We look forward to conducting a hitch-free Convention which will culminate in the election of a suitable candidate who will hoist the flag of the party with a sense of mission.”