As the year 2023 gradually draws near and political parties prepare for a showdown, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said that the region has the figure to rule Nigeria continually.
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesperson for the NEF said this during a public lecture held at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to Baba-Ahmed, northern Nigeria inherited the leadership and would not be pushed aside from contesting the 2023 election. This implies that:
- The north, in Baba-Ahmed’s words, will lead Nigeria the way it had led the country in the past, irrespective of the position they occupy.
- The north will not play second fiddle to any region but will contest for the highest office- the presidency- because the northern will bank on its high population to achieve this.
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- The North will work on restructuring its economy which is perceived to be in terrible condition.
- Any Nigeria who would not fancy a northern politician coming to power in 2023 should leave the country.
The words of Baba-Ahmed are coming as southern Nigeria is projecting candidates to occupy Aso Rock in 2023 after President Muhammadu Buhari completes his eight-year tenure.
Nigeria has been practicing a rotational presidency between the north and south. Although there are indications that the statement by the NEF spokesperson is not unconnected with the ongoing Value-Added Tax tussle between some states in the south and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The decision by some states to collect VAT puts the north in a disadvantaged position as northern Nigerian states mostly generate the least VAT.
