Atiku’s emergence as PDP’s candidate threat to Nigeria’s unity — Southern, Middle-Belt Leaders

By OUR REPORTER

Barely 24 hours former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a candidate of Northern extraction, emerged as Presidential Candidate of the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, some leaders, who called themselves representatives of South and Middle-Belt, on Sunday, described the his emergence as a brazen affront to the people of Southern Nigeria.

The DEFENDER reports that although the Middle-Belt is not found among the country’s geo-political zoning arrangement recognised for North: North West, North East and North Central; and for South: South West, South East and South South, it is believed to be a group of some North Central people known to be in alliance with some secessionist Southern groups in making its voice heard.

Coming under the aegis of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), on Sunday, the leaders in statement issued in a reaction to the outcome of the national convention of the PDP recalled their position that power should move to the South in 2023 as a way to strengthen the unity of the country.

Although they were before now know to have been allying with the PDP against the sitting government in expectation that their dream of power shift to the South will be possible in that main opposition party, the Southern and Middle-Belt leaders said Sunday that it was regrettable that the unity and peace of the country do not mean much to a segment of the political elite.

The Forum alleged that the motive of Atiku’s selection was to perpetuate the Muslim North hegemony in the country and, therefore, rejected his candidacy just as it called on all people of the South and Middle Belt, including all lovers of peace and unity not to vote for Atiku or any other northerner in the election.

The statement said: “SMBLF recalls that following the release of the guidelines for the 2023 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), elders and leaders of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, under the aegis of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum, made unequivocal proclamations on the need for the presidency to be devolved to Southern Nigeria in 2023, in respect of the time-honoured practice of the rotation and zoning of high political offices between the North and the South by political parties as a way of strengthening national unity, peace and harmony.

“SMBLF further recalls that several engagements were held with various stakeholders across the length and breadth of the country on the subject to foster understanding, mutual respect and oneness. The 17 southern governors also in a declaration after their meeting in Asaba, Delta State, in May 2021, backed the rotation of the presidency to the South in 2023.

“Sadly, it appears the unity and peace of Nigeria means little or nothing to a segment of the nation’s political elite. This was evidenced in the PDP special convention, which was held on Saturday, May 28, 2022, where certain candidates from the North were pressured, coerced and even intimidated to step down for former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who eventually emerged as the standard-bearer of PDP, in utter derision of the established principle of zoning and rotation of power between the North and South.

“Undoubtedly, the singular motive is to perpetuate the hegemony of the North given that President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the North and of Fulani origin, will be completing his full tenure of eight years by this time next year.

“SMBLF, therefore, totally rejects the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and calls on our people of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt as well as all true lovers of peace and unity not to vote for him or any other northerner in the 2023 presidential election, in the interest of posterity.

“Again, SMBLF calls on all politicians of southern extraction to refuse the position of a running mate to any northern presidential candidate, which will equally be viewed as subjugating their people to political slavery.”

The statement was signed by Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw (PANDEF/ South-South), Ambassador Okey Emuchay (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide/South East), Jare Ajayi (Afenifere/South West), Dr Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt Forum) and Ken Robinson, acting coordinator of SMBLF.