From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

A Northern group under the aegis of Congress for Better Nigeria, has berated Southern Governors on their insistence for power rotation to the zone come 2023 presidential election.

The group described the demand of the Southern governors as illogical as it does not conform with the principle of equity, fairness and justice upon which the nation is built.

The Convener of the group, Zacchaueus Dare  Michael made their position known at a press conference held in Lokoja on Saturday.

He said that the Press Conference became necessary in order to correct the statement credited to the southern governors that power must return to  the zone in 2023.

The Congress equally identified Governor Yahaya Bello as the most preferred and qualified candidate from the North Central Zone that has all it takes to lead Nigeria.

Zacchaeus Dare Micheal averred that, for Nigeria to survive as a united and indivisible entity with its diversity, the principle of equity, fairness and justice must be zealously guided to avoid unnecessary acrimony and friction within the polity.

He said based on this democratic principle the call by the group for other zones to concede the Presidency to the Middle belt which had not tasted democratically elected power since independence in 1999, said it has become imperative to avoid over heating the political.

According to him , “while tracing the history of Presidency of our dear country since May 1999, said the South West emerged with Olusegun Obasanjo who served for two tenures of 8 years.

The South South have produced Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who spent 6 years in power.

“The Northwest and North East have produced President Mohammadu Buhari serving his second term.

The Convener said the only region that has been left as political orphans in power equation is the Middle belt, and I ask what is the offence of the zone against the country.

He maintained that the group will mobilise every well-meaning citizens of the zone to reject the injustice and marginalisation that has been sustainably meted to the zone since independence, stressing that the North Central which has been the melting point of the North and Southern Nigeria would no longer continue to play the second fiddle.

While noting that the North Central with its abundance human and material resources has come of age to ascend the the presidency, said its decision to identify Gov. Bello is informed by his ability to unite and secure the country.

” Without mincing words, his ability to unifier a Kogi State that is a mini Nigeria as well as make it the most safest State in Nigeria presently speaks volumes.

“We add that his Youth and women empowerment records in Nigeria remains unrivaled.

“Let us add too that the much needed religious harmony, infrastructure Development amongst other indices places Gov. Bello in a better place to lead Nigeria in 2023.

” For the country to achieve her greatness, marginalisation of every form must be curtailed to allow each zone to produce its best brains to paddle the statecraft, stressing that it was the jettisoning of this principle that has retarded the growth of the country.

“We say No! to political marginalisation which has brought nothing but backwardness and stagnation. We say No! to being viewed as the region unworthy of the presidential seat. We say No!

“While we again make a passionate and timely appeal on leaders from the region across party lines to form united front that would become a formidable force that cannot be neglected, urge them to unite their strength, resources and human power to ensure that the next president of the nation emerges from the North Central geo political zone”.

We therefore conclude that On The 2023 Presidency On North Central We Stand. Southern governor’s Position Illogical,  preposterous and holds no water at all.