Presidency 2023: Coalition endorses Tinubu, others, insists on southern candidates

The Coalition of Southern Groups of Nigeria (CSG) at an elaborate meeting in Lagos at the weekend, endorsed a frontline 2023 presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, including other political leaders in the south for the 2023 presidential election.

The Coalition held an enlarged tactical and strategic meeting to set up committees, having held elections on November 10, 2021, into its executive structure.

The CSG, citing the aphorism of Lord Chesterfield that firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character and the best instrument of success; emphasized that this is a philosophy to deepen democratic cause that will stimulate inclusivity.

The Coalition of Southern Groups, after a meeting last Friday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, commended the political elite on reports about zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket to the South.

The Coalition of Southern Groups in a communique jointly signed by Uche Nwabueze, President; Segun Nelson, Secretary, and Chukwuemeka Uzoka, Publicity Secretary, declared: “That without has lend credence that unity of purpose is in strides and that our democracy is growing in leaps and bounds.”

At the election of the Coalition of Southern Groups held on November 10, 2021, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Uche Nwabueze emerged as National President.

Over 48 registered associations and socio-cultural and political groups were said to have participated in the election, which was free, fair, and credible.

Other national officers that emerged at the election include Blessing Ekpo from Cross River State, National Vice President; Olusegun Nelson, National Secretary; Chukwuemeka Uzoka, National Publicity Secretary; Preye Geneses, National Organizing Secretary; Temitope Tijani (Tzat), National Contacts and Mobilisation Officer, among others.

The National President, speaking to the media, reeled out the decision of the southern groups on the 2023 general elections.

According to Nwabueze, the Coalition sent a strong signal to the naysayers, adding that they were sending stern advice to any group to accept the need for a southern president in 2023 or will be seen as an enemy of one Nigeria.

The coalition noted that such a decision at a time like this will not only foster development but create peace in the country’s history, trust, and unity devoid of mutual suspicion which has been an entrenched culture in the polity ab initio.

The Coalition, therefore, called on all political parties in Nigeria to unanimously adopt their presidential candidates from the South or face strong resistance in all ramifications from the Coalition. The national president noted it is the firm belief of the Coalition that the north has had her 8 years based on the same mutual understanding, being represented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Without mincing words, there is no compromise on this decision to back a Southern president as any leader that goes against this resolution will be treated as an outcast.

“We call on all men of goodwill in the South to join other progressives from the North to nominate a credible candidate from the South that will continue on the same principle of rotational presidency for equity and fairness.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much as one Nigeria,” the Coalition declared.

The groups noted that history has it that North has ruled the country more than the South, hence, the decision by the political parties to zone its presidential candidate to the South, “and we implore all and Sundry to marry this development.”

The Coalition maintained that the South is fully prepared and ready to take on the mandate to move Nigeria forward. “So, let the Northern groups accept and join the moving train to build a united Nigeria,” Nwabueze said.

The Coalition appealed to prominent personalities in the south to contest for the president in 2023.

They, therefore, called on

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,

Governor Nyesom Ezebunwon Wike of Rivers State, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, former Governor Peter Obi, former Governor

Ayodele Fayose, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross river State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola,

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Others, to join the 2023 presidential race.

The Coalition maintained that their choice is any individual of Southern extraction with a goal, integrity, intellectual capacity, and competence to move the country forward.