Holding to power in perpetuity may spell doom for Nigeria ― Southern, Middle Belt leaders

As the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds its primary elections to select its presidential flag bearer this weekend, in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) for the umpteenth time called on party delegates to reject any political party that fails to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

The group’s position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Chief (Dr.) Edwin Clark, SMBLF Leader; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere; Dr Pogu Bitrus, President-General, Middle Belt Forum and Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor, President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.

While urging the delegates from the various Southern States to put the national interest above personal gains, the group warned against the choice of a presidential candidate from the North, stressing that such a move may spell doom for the political future of the region.

They, therefore, tasked the delegates to shun primordial considerations in their choice of candidate, adding that the North at the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari would have enjoyed the statutory period of years by 2023.

“They (delegates) must only vote in the national interest to preserve the oneness of Nigeria. SMBLF, specifically, urges delegates to cast their votes for only credible aspirants from the South, warning that the unity and peace of Nigeria could be jeopardized if the delegates consent to the unwarrantable determinations being paraded.

“SMBLF further warns that it would be totally unacceptable for the major political parties in the country to choose candidates from the North as flag bearers for the 2023 presidency.

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“This is given the fact that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the presidency of the country for the full statutory period of eight years by 2023, under President Muhammadu Buhari, and therefore, asserts that the next President of Nigeria should come from the South, particularly the South East.

“This country belongs to all of us and we all have equal stakes. Any attempt by any group of persons to hold on to political power in perpetuity to the exclusion of the rest of Nigeria will be disastrous.

“It bears reminding the political class that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power, accordingly, we restate our call on all lovers of peace and equity in Nigeria, particularly our people of Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt region, to reject any political party that fails to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

“SMBLF, likewise, sternly cautions all persons from Southern Nigeria including politicians, public servants, professionals, and academics, not to accept, on any justification, the position of Vice President.

“This will not only be a dishonourable legacy for them and generations after them but tantamount to slavishly mortgaging the political future of the people of Southern Nigeria!

“It is noted, without a doubt, that the nation is at a critical point, therefore, we strongly urge leaders of Nigeria; true patriots, statesmen and women, to intervene in the political process to save the country from the reckless endangerment of its future corporate existence by the avoidable intrigues and manoeuvres of some self-seeking politicians,” the group stressed.