The Forum of Northern Elders for Unity, on Tuesday, held a meeting and resolved to support only a candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party for 2023 presidency.
The forum said that they reached the resolution because the PDP was able to provide an all-inclusive government for a united Nigeria when the party was in power. They also said that an Igbo presidency was long overdue. They said it was unfair that the Igbos had not been considered for either the position of the President or Vice President since Nigeria returned to democracy 22 years ago.
“Part of the reasons for our meeting today is to create a unifying platform for consultation, which will help douse the tension created by some power hungry and selfish politicians, who want to destroy the one Nigeria that our forefathers toiled to build,” the Elders stated.
In a communique issued after the ‘Restore Unity of Nigeria Project’ meeting held at ASAA Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna, on Monday, the forum said the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, has a Northerner as President now and it will only be fair and democratic to return power to the South, especially Southeast, because the Igbos have been politically marginalised .
In the communique jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the FNEU, Alhaji Baba Mala and Mal. Yau Aliyu, the group urged the main opposition party, the PDP, to give its presidential ticket to the Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, because of his antecedent as a leader with passion for peace, progress and unity of the country.
The communique further read: “We have studied all the governors in the South-East and discovered that Governor Ugwuanyi is a bridge builder and visionary leader that we can trust with power.
“And if the PDP wants to win the 2023 presidential election, it should consider giving its ticket to Governor Ugwuanyi, and we are prepared to work and ensure that his victory at the polls is guaranteed.
“Ugwuanyi has a proven track record as one of the governors who have worked passionately to protect lives and properties of Northerners and settlers; created employment for all, regardless of tribe and religion, since he assumed office, a feat worthy of note.
“We, therefore, call on all Igbos and southerners to join the NEFU’s Project ‘Restore Unity of Nigeria Now,’ and beg Nigerians across the geo-political zones to support our bid for a united Nigeria with the best presidential candidate come 2023.
“We are from an advantaged region with numerical voting strength to decide who becomes Nigeria’s president, thus we will continue to meet to work out the solutions to douse the threatening tension created by power tussle.”
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