A South East socio-cultural group, Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum (CISF) has faulted the statement of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on its position on who would take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Recall that in a statement by NEF spokesperson, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, he had declared that the North was not ready to relinquish power in 2023.
Baba-Ahmed reportedly made the comment while delivering an address at the Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series, in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The NEF spokesman said anyone who does not want a Northerner as President should leave the country if one emerges.
He was quoted to have said that, “We have the majority of the votes and the democracy says vote whom you want.
“Why should we accept second class position when we know we can buy form and contest for first class and we will win,” he quipped.
But reacting to Dr. Baba-Ahmed, CISF spokesperson, Chukwuma Okenwa, described the position as ‘disappointing’.
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In a statement he issued, on Monday, Okenwa said the North was playing on the intelligence and patience of the people in Nigeria’s South.
Okenwa maintained that such comments might cause additional trouble in a country already enduring fragile peace.
According to Okenwa, “It might further fuel secessionist movements in the country.
“Southern Nigeria is more united than ever and will resist any attempt to impose a Northern President on Nigerians come 2023,” he said.