The Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum (CISF) has condemned a comment made by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), suggesting that the North was ready to hold power beyond 2023.
The leader of the Forum, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, gave the condemnation in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Enugu.
Okenwa described such comments as very disappointing and an aspersion to the intelligence and patience of southerners of the country.
According to him, such comments are capable of exacerbating the already fragile peace of the country.
“Thus, it might further fuel secessionist movements in the country,” he said.
Okenwa noted in the spirit of equity and fairness that a president from southern extraction, specifically the South-East, should be a non-negotiable agenda.
“Southern Nigeria is more united than ever; and will vehemently resist any attempt to impose a Northern President on Nigerians come 2023,” he said.
He further noted that the import of Ahmed-Baba insinuation in a recent media report suggested that the North had what it takes to hold power beyond 2023 and should not cede political power to the South.
It would be recalled that Ahmed-Baba made his insinuations while delivering an address at the maiden Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series organised by the students wing of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, at the weekend.
He said, “The North is not for sale and northerners will surprise those waiting for them to queue up in 2023 and be given money in exchange for their votes.”
Ahmed-Baba further said anyone who does not want a northerner as President should leave the country if one emerges.
“We will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before, whether we are President or Vice President, we will lead Nigeria. We have the majority of the votes and democracy says vote whom you want.
“Why should we accept a second class position when we know we can buy a form and contest for first class and we will win?” the spokesman of NEF said.
