Ahead of the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind the emergence of a southern candidate as the party’s flagbearer.
This is as President Buhari on Saturday supported the rotation of power to the South in the 2023 general elections.
The President stated this while speaking in at a dinner with All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants at the Aso Rock Villa.
This is coming after ten northern governors under the platform of the ruling party asked President Buhari to back a southerner for the party’s presidential ticket.
The northern governors in a communique also advised northern presidential aspirants to withdraw from the race, ahead of the party presidential primary fixed for the 6th of June.
The governors advised president Buhari to pick his preferred presidential aspirant from the region.
The governors that made the call include, Aminu Bello Masari, Abubakar Sani Bello, Abdullahi Sule, Babagana Zulum, Nasir El-Rufai, Muhammad Yahaya, Bello Matawalle, Simon Lalong, former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, Abdullahi Ganduje, Abubakar Atiku.
The development has generated several reactions from Nigerians and Naija News has culled some of their reactions from the micro-blogging site, Twitter.
While some welcome the development, others view it as a political calculation to appease Nigerians and defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have chosen a northerner as their 2023 presidential candidate.
See some reactions.
So is it fair to assume the APC ticket will go to one of Amaechi, Prof, Tinubu (May God forbid with all his might) or perhaps Fayemi?
— Global Citizen (@EmeksOfficial) June 5, 2022
This is an opportunity for South West APC to unite and back just one person to clinch the APC ticket. If they don't, Amaechi might just get it.
— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) June 4, 2022
They went to meet Zulum and Elrufai to come and contest for president. Both said no and proceeded to sign a memo insisting the presidency to the south. Top men ?
— Daddy D.O?? (@DOlusegun) June 5, 2022
Now that consensus is for south, what next for Yahaya Bello? #GYB2PYB That bros has spent so much on campaign. #APCPresidentialPrimaries Osinbajo Yoruba Abuja
— Oluwatomisin Amokeoja (@TomisinAmokeoja) June 4, 2022
Not Umahi stepping down for Lawan only to realize that Buhari & Northerners Governors are supporting Southerner Presidency.
Tomorrow you see those Igbos crying over Marginalization & Referendum.
Amaechi is certainly coming #Amaechi2023#APCPresidentialPrimaries #APCPrimaries pic.twitter.com/1ZnwB76MPh
— Ethel (@EthelMEthel) June 4, 2022
Yahaya Bello might start giving reasons why Kogi State is a part of Southern Nigeria lmaooooo ?
— Chris (@Topboychriss) June 4, 2022
APC Governors from the North threw their weight behind Southern Presidency, saying that it is in the interest of the nation that another region takes charge after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in power.
No conspiracy theorist saw that coming?#BAT2023
— Mr Ghost (Celebrity Graphics Designer) (@GrandGhost_9) June 4, 2022
Governors from the North have thrown their weight behind Southern Presidency, saying it’s fair for another region to take charge after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in power.
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) June 4, 2022
Anything outside Southeast is not a FAIR thinking, statement or saying. Let's don't confuse South with South East, South West, and South South. https://t.co/TNbUcKYTl8
— Human (@SparksO26) June 5, 2022
They keep saying “Power should go to the south “ has the South West and South South not taken power before ?? Why can’t they just be bold and honest for once and mention South East ?
— Okenwa na Igbo-Ukwu (@Hmp2million) June 4, 2022
Sen Orji kalu supporting Lawan is for his personal interest. Dude is trying to secure the senate president seat. I doubt if Amaechi will get the ticket.
— Gravity (@antigravitylite) June 5, 2022
APC zoning Presidency to the South is deceptive. They should have been specific. Southwest? South East or South South? That’s when we will know wassup
— Foundational Nupe Lawyer (@Egi_nupe_) June 4, 2022
North and South south are stepping down for tinubu and the south
Igbos are stepping down for northern candidates
Edi re oh
Tomorrow they will blame Yoruba
— Truth is bitter (@lanrerasheedbl1) June 5, 2022
APC folks are trying to be clever by half using their ‘south’ agenda.
Bros, are you people coming to the south east or south west?
South south or south north?
Or south central?
Which south exactly?
This confusion is sponsored by PO’s exit from PDP.
Nobody saw it coming.
— CJ Ubaka (@CJ_Ubaka) June 4, 2022
We have Southwest, South South and South East… Mr President should know that *YORÙBÁ LO KAN*
(Southwest??) https://t.co/cSo2LXn40I
— ?? J O ? (@Onapo_Inter) June 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/okechi_ng/status/1533226475293392897
This article was originally published on Naija News