Northern and Southern Groups at logger-heads over 2023 Presidency 

On Tuesday, the 17 southern governors were chastised by the North’s elders and interest groups for asking that authority be transferred to the South in 2023.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) stated that the North will not accept any candidate being forced upon it.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) dismissed the idea that the South should elect the next President, claiming that the North would not be forced to do so.

According to the Arewa Youths Forum (AYF), southern governors should handle secession movements in their areas first.

“Their (Southern governors) support for treasonable felony, by the subtle endorsement of the activities of such criminal separatist forces, led by the likes of Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu, by warning the nation’s security agencies against operating in the region without obtaining permission from the governor of the particular state, is a matter that must be given the seriousness it deserves,” CNG said.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on the other hand, endorsed the demand for a power transition, saying it is in line with the desire for equality and fairness.

On Monday, the governors of the southern states gathered in Lagos to reiterate resolutions made during their May 11 meeting in Asaba, Delta State’s capital.

They demanded that authority be transferred to the South by 2023, and they pledged to pass anti-open grazing legislation by September 1.

As a rebuttal, the NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the North will not be bullied into relinquishing an office that should be decided democratically.

It regards the Southern governors’ choice as a statement of a mood that should be debated in the context of a democratic process.

“We are operating a democratic administration, and the next president will be chosen by people exercising their right to pick the candidate who best represents their interests,” NEF stated.

“The Southern governors’ threat to impose and enforce this undemocratic leadership selection process on the North, despite its numerical superiority and inherent political sophistry, is part of a deliberate plan to undermine our area politically and economically,” the CNG stated.

“The Southern governors’ threat to impose and enforce this undemocratic leadership selection process on the North, despite its numerical superiority and inherent political sophistry, is part of a deliberate plan to undermine our area politically and economically,” the CNG stated.

CNG emphasized that the North would not be rushed into making big power-shifting choices.

It went on to say that in 2023, only a competent candidate who can unify and secure Nigeria should be elected President, regardless of where he or she hails from.