A group known as the North Central Coalition for Leadership (NCCL) has made its stance on the 2023 presidential election known.
NCCL in its address to the press on Wednesday lamented that the north-central region which comprises of 6 states including Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau, and the Federal Capital has been marginalized in the hosting of the presidential seat since the country became a republic.
The group in a statement titled, “BEING THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH TO THE PRESS BY THE NORTH CENTRAL COALITION FOR LEADERSHIP (NCCL), ON 2023 PRESIDENCY; OUR POSITION,” delivered by Williams Charles Oluwatoyin, cited the history of the Nigerian presidency and how the north-central zone has been lagging with party chairmanship complacency.
It urged the leaders of the region to bury further ambitions for the chairmanship of all parties and declare interest in the presidency come 2023, adding that the people have competent hands to lead Nigeria.
The group also pleaded with Nigerians to afford the north-central zone the chance to mount the presidential seat of the nation for the first time.
“It has become imperative that we address you this morning on issues bothering on the 2023 presidency and our position.
“The North Central Region of Nigeria, a Geopolitical Zone comprising the 6 States ( has been greatly marginalized as it has never produced the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite being more populated than some geopolitical zone that has produced presidents in times past.
“The First Republic (1963 – 1966) produced President Nnamdi Azikweme and Prime Minister – Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (SouthEast/NorthEast)
“The Second Republic (1979 – 1983 produced President Shehu Shagari and Vice President Alex Ekwueme (NorthWest/SouthEast),” it said.
Adding that, “the Abortive Third Republic was won by M.K.O Abiola and Babagana Kingibe (SouthWest/NorthEast)
“After several military regimes, the Fourth Republic was finally ushered in in May 1999 and then the South West has produced Olusegun Obasanjo who served for two tenures of 8 years.
“The South-South has produced Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who spent 6 years in power.
“The Northwest however has produced 3 presidents and a total of 11years so far. Alhaji Shehu Shagari spent 4 years, The late Umar Musa YarAdua 2 years, and President Mohammadu Buhari, who is into his second tenure.
“While other regions have also produced Vice Presidents; from NorthEast Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (8 years), Arc Namadi Sambo (NorthWest, 6 years), Prof. Yomi Osinbajo (SouthWest, 5 years so far), Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (SouthSouth, 2years) the North Central has not.
“Democracy is about Equity, Fairness, and Justice. Considering the above stated, there is a great imbalance and zero inclusiveness amounting to obvious marginalization of Northcentral.
“On this note, therefore, it is only fair that the Northcentral be given the support of well Nigerians to produce the president of the Federal Republica of Nigeria come 2023.
“The North Central has produced enough party Chairmen since 1999 across party lines including the likes of Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Solomon Lar, Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh, Ahmadu Ali. The North Central Coalition For Leadership says NO to politicians from this geopolitical zone vying for or planning to contest for the chairmanship of any political party. Party chairmanship is not our heritage or birthright in North Central. It is time to seek a higher position and rally around anyone from the North Central zone who has and will show interest in the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after several years of denial.
“At a time we seem more divided than united, we must stand in unison and speak with one voice. We call on distinguished Senator Tanko Almakura to jettison his ambition for the chairmanship of the All Progressive Congress. Who says he is not qualified to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria haven spent 8 years in office as governor of Nasarawa State?
“Nigeria needs a visionary leader, who will dare and change the status quo. The North Central geo-political zone has qualified and competent politicians that this mold.
“We, therefore, call on North Central leaders to heed this clarion call and declare to contest for the presidency come 2023 instead of party chairmanship position.”