The Senator representing Abia North and former Governor of the State, Orji Kalu, has criticised presidential aspirants from the South-West and the South-South over their refusal to step down for their counterparts from the South-East.
Kalu, who is also a presidential aspirant, also took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for failing to zone the Presidency specifically to the South-East which had yet to produce a president of the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and titled ‘2023 Presidency: The Fairness I Know,’ Kalu stated that it would be hypocritical of those in the South-West and the South-South who criticise the North, especially in the PDP, for not conceding the ticket to the South, if the same people would not concede the position to the South-East.
Kalu said, “It is my desire and intention to run for the Presidency of Nigeria. I am committed to this pursuit, but I can’t make an official declaration to this regard without the full support of other regions. Everywhere in the world, politics is situational and that of Nigeria is exceptionally situational.
“In the absence of this zoning, I shall return to the Senate and stay away from the presidential contest. The reality is that the North is more advantageous to win elections in this democratic setting.”
But the South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023, said Kalu should proceed to contest if he was sure of himself.
The Chairman of SWAGA 2023, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, said this during a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, adding that rotational presidency was not based on geopolitical zoning.
“The zoning rotation of the presidency in Nigeria is between North and South; nothing more than that. There is no micro-zoning to any geopolitical zone. The understanding of anybody that knows about politics knows that that it is North and South rotation. There is not yet any micro-zoning to any geopolitical zone; we may still reach that level, but in this present dispensation, no, that is not the issue.”
On his part, the Coordinator, Progressive Lawyers For Osinbajo, Dr Kayode Ajulo, in an interview with The PUNCH, explained that the office of the President should be considered based on experience and qualification and not sentimental issues.
He said, “The office of the President should not be toyed with and should not be considered because of some sentimental issues. It must be for who is qualified and is most experienced. And I must say this, give me any candidate and place him side-by-side with Osinbajo.”
Yahaya Bello buys N100m form, Ayade seeks Buhari’s blessing
Meanwhile, aspirants contesting the APC primaries on Tuesday started obtaining forms as the party opened the race for its 2023 elections tickets.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, obtained the form for the APC governorship primaries for Akwa Ibom State, while the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, obtained the N20m senatorial form.
The Director (Media and Publicity), Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Council, Yemi Kolapo, Yemi Kolapo, in a statement said the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, paid N100m for the purchase of the forms to contest the 2023 Presidency on the APC platform.
With the payment, Kolapo said the governor would on Wednesday (today) pick his expression of interest and nomination forms.
The Cross Rivers State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, in Abuja said he had secured the approval of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to hold consultations leading up to unveiling his plans to contest for the presidential ticket of the APC.
He also declared to rally behind former President Goodluck Jonathan if he (Jonathan) emerged the APC’s presidential flag bearer ahead of next year’s election.
Ayade disclosed this to State House correspondents in Abuja.