2023: South-west group asks Atiku to drop presidential ambition

The Southwest Development Frontier, a socio-political group, has asked Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, to drop his 2023 presidential ambition for the sake of peace in the country.

Speaking during a rally in Lagos on Monday, Olufemi Osabinu, convener of the group, said the north cannot retain the presidency after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure of eight years, hence Atiku should let fairness prevail.

The group added that power needs to shift to the south to show good faith and help to heal the “old wounds” of the nation.

“We are as a generation demanding that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his promoters bring a close to the perpetual ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be President of Nigeria. Not only did we find insensitive the quest to retain power in the north, but it is also self-serving and unjust after President Muhammadu Buhari would have completed an eight-year term as the President of Nigeria from the same Northern zone of the country,” Osabinu said.

“Over the time, we have been at the forefront of the call for political parties in the country to have their presidential ticket zoned to the southern part of the country for the sake of equity and justice.

“We do not only want to appeal to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to drop his presidential ambition, but we are also reminding politicians who are canvassing for his presidency to realise that they are trying to perpetuate injustice which is against the unity of our country.

“2023 is a crucial moment that will determine a lot in the stability or otherwise of our democracy. Nigerians should be given the opportunity to elect a leader who can stabilise the polity and move the country forward from where the administration will hand over in 2023. Ensuring a peaceful polity will only be achievable when we allow equity and justice in the distribution of power between every component of the country.”

Osabinu noted that Atiku has served the nation with distinction and should create room for a young and energetic candidate who is committed to finding lasting solutions to national challenges.