Former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), says it will be tantamount to seeking a third term if the ruling All Progressives Congress fields a northerner as its presidential candidate in 2023.
Ndume, who is currently Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said in the spirit of fairness, justice and fair play, the party should zone its presidential ticket to the South.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura’s statement that zoning should be jettisoned in 2023 has continued to generate controversy and heated debates across the country.
Ndume said just like it the APC did in 2014 when it picked a Northern candidate, the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, it should zone its ticket to the South in 2023.
He added that retaining the presidency in the North could spell doom for the ruling party and the country.
Ndume said, “To me, as a founding member of the APC that witnessed the first convention where the presidency was deliberately zoned to the North and four candidates from the region: President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Sam Nda-Isaiah, slugged it out, with Rochas Okorocha exercising his constitutional rights.
“I, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, I feel that it would not be fair, equitable and just to field a northern candidate for the presidency in APC, 2023. To me, fielding a northern candidate will be tantamount to third term; which is unconstitutional.”
The lawmaker further said the fairest thing would be to allow southerners to vie for the APC presidential ticket among themselves for the 2023 general elections.
He said, “For me, I have drawn the line already because everybody will stand before God and account for his deeds. We supported the zoning of the presidency to the North and we supported the president and he is spending his eight years in line with the constitution of the country.
“By extension, the North is only allowed to serve two terms. So, if a northerner comes in again, it does not matter whether the person is Buhari or not, or a new name, that would mean that the North is going in for a third term; which is unconstitutional.”
Ndume, however, said that the North should produce the next APC national chairman at it forthcoming National Convention to pave the way for the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the South.
Ndume said, “I’m somebody that believes in equal rights and justice, because it is only when you adhere to that that you will have peace.
“So, I don’t want to dabble into leadership zoning; but impliedly, if I’m saying that the southern part should produce the president, then the chairmanship position should go to the North.
On the likelihood of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party picking its presidential candidate from the North, Ndume said, “It is God that gives power to whoever he decides; and God is just. I’m talking about justice and equity. If there is justice and equality, then a southerner, Insha Allah, from APC, will win. “PDP has not come out to say that they are likely to field a northern candidate, and their case is not the same with ours. Obasanjo did eight years from the South, Yar’Adua did just few months and died. Then another southern candidate took over for six years. To them, it is only just for them to field a northern candidate. That is why I told you that I’m speaking to you as a member of APC.”
