2023: Arewa group orders northern presidential aspirants to step down

As the race for the 2023 presidential election gathers momentum across Nigeria,  Northern-based groups under the aegis of Arewa Coalition for Rotational Presidency have come out strongly against aspirants from the North,  saying it would be unfair for the north to retain power after eight years.

The group also vowed to practically rise and mobilise against all presidential candidates from the North, who dare to contest under any political party during the general elections.

A statement jointly signed by the chairman, Abdullahi Biu and the secretary, Hamza Malumfashi, said it would be fair and just for the seat of the President to return to the south after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure elapsed.

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.” Punch