As Nigerians prepare to elect a qualified politician to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, the contentious issue of major political parties’ zoning arrangements across the country remains unresolved.
The media struggle between the Northern and Southern parts of the country has erupted, particularly between the Southern Governors’ Forum and their Northern counterparts.
Some Northern youths on Wednesday while declaring their support for the Northern presidency protested in Abuja, demanding that the North- East or North- Central should be given the opportunity to produce the next President.
The International Center For Investigative Reporting, ICIR, reported that the protest was staged at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.
According to the report, one of the big banners at the protest ground reads, ” Northern Advocates for Good Governance Calls for Equity, Fairness, and Justice. The Presidency of Nigeria in 2023 should be zoned to the North- East or North- Central. ”
ICIR disclosed that one of the protesters identified as Sani disclosed that the North- Central and North- East political zones have been marginalised for a very long time, therefore, they should be compensated with the 2023 presidency.
” For equity, justice, and fairness, the North- East or North- Central should be allowed to produce the president in 2023. The two zones have been marginalised for so long and this is the best way to compensate them, ” Sani said.
Meanwhile, the former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida who hailed from the North- Central has declared his support for Bukola Saraki, another politician from the same region.
” We need a leader that can utilise our rich diversities to our advantage. We have abused our diversity and are not able to use it well to our advantage. I believe that the young Saraki has the capacity to bring back this glory to our nation. He has my prayers, he has my absolute support, ” Babangida declared as reported by Naija News.