Amid the push for a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of Nigeria’s general elections slated for February 2023, Northern Elders under the auspices of ‘Northern Leaders of Thought’ have said the north based on its population size will determine who rules the country.
Professor Ango Abdullahi, Convener of the meeting held at Arewa House, on Saturday, disclosed this during his opening remarks at the occasion in reaction to All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain Bola Tinubu’s declaration that he has been a kingmaker and there’s no where it is stated in the world where a kingmaker cannot aspire to be king.
“I heard that somebody was saying he’s the kingmaker and now wanted to be King. It is not that I want to be seen as arrogant but the North has always been the kingmaker.
“As leaders of thought we can offer something. Today’s meeting is perhaps the first of its kind to see leaders from ACF, NEF, dozens of other groups to discuss the problems of the region.
“Even though, we are supposed to be resting. We shouldn’t be here. My generation have overstayed their welcome or are overstaying their welcome.
In his keynote address titled ‘Rebuilding the North’, NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed remarked that presidency should not be limited to a particular region and that it should be based on competency and ability to deliver.
A Northerner should be voted President only if he is the best. Being Northerner is not enough. All Nigerians need good leaders, but for us in the North, we will demand to see evidence that a candidate does not just want power to fulfill a personal ambition.
We want to see evidence that those who want to lead us in future understand the roots of, and solutions to our insecurity and poverty and distances from each other.
“We want to know how irredentism will be handled; how and when major changes in our structures and systems will be made to address popular grievances over the way our country should operate; how our economy can be re-engineered to achieve sustainable development and work for the rich and the poor equally, and how our young will be groomed to become productive, honest and patriotic citizens,” he added.
