The chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi has spoken on how the north will vote in the 2023 presidential election, though it is clear the ethno-political group has no political influence on the north.
According to Abdullahi, the north will not support a candidate who exploits the ethnic and religious diversity of the zone.
“We will not support a candidate that fails to convince that he will radically improve the quality of governance and the integrity of leaders,” Abdullahi said at a book launch in Kaduna Thursday.
“Secondly, northerners will not be intimidated into making choices that do not improve the chances of real changes in their current circumstances.
“We will participate in all political and electoral activities as equals, and concerning other Nigerians who respect us.
“In the north, we consider attempts to create divisions and conflicts around religion as hostile acts. We have paid a high price in conflicts around religion in the north and we do not need to do more.
“We bear scars from governance by one we substantially voted into power twice.
“Northern votes will make a major impact in the 2023 elections as well, but they will be cast by people who are now wiser and more discerning,” he added.
Abdullahi and his NEF kicked and spoke broadly against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC bid for power in 2015 and 2019; Buhari and his party however won both times.
The Ohaneze and the Afenifere took a similar position then. But the tribes they claim they represent and lead never sided with them during both elections.