2023: We’re solidly behind you, south-south lawmakers tell Yahaya Bello

The forum of members of state houses of assembly in the south-south zone under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, for presidency in 2023.

In a communique issue at the end of its extraordinary meeting held in Calabar, Cross River state, on Monday, the forum said it would be the best decision for the leadership of APC to zone the presidency to north-central in the spirit of fairness and justice.

The legislators from Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states said the north-central had been marginalised since the nation gained independence.

“That the APC state assembly legislators of the south-south, who were elected by the people of the six (6) states that make up the geo-political zone believe that the best thing for our party as we approach the 2023 general elections is to give room for marginalised zones to produce the next president,” the communique read.

“Consequently, we appeal to the national leadership of our party, the APC, to zone the presidency to north central for fairness and sense of belonging to prevail.

“We hereby state that we agree to support our colleagues in the north central to contest for the position of the President of Nigeria in 2023 – which is a position that the zone had hitherto been deprived of since Nigeria became independent in 1960.

“That we have painstakingly brainstormed on the political developments in our party, the All Progressives Congress, vis-a-vis the need for Nigeria to chart a course to a more secure and prosperous country and have therefore decided to throw our weight behind the presidential bid of the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

“That we acknowledge that Governor Yahaya Bello has, against all odds, forged ahead in his quest for the Office of the President of Nigeria come 2023, and therefore thank him for his tenacity. We assure him of our solid support.”

The state lawmakers also passed a vote of confidence in the Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee.