APC convention: Southern Govs urge Lawan, Yahaya Bello to withdraw from presidential race

The Southern Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have told the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to withdraw from the presidential race in the ruling APC, after the Northern Governors in the party insisted on zoning the party’s presidential ticket to the South.

Southern Governors’ Forum, accordingly, commended the Northern Governors Forum of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) on insisting that they applauded their northern counterparts for the 2023 presidential ticket be zoned to the South.

The Southern Governors Forum, in a statement by the Chairman, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, emphasized that the decision reflected another landmark achievement in the quest for understanding, rapprochement, and ongoing engagements for mutual benefit.

The Southern APC governors commended Governor Abubakar Badru of Jigawa State for his withdrawal from the presidential race and contributing his patriotism to the party.

The statement read in part: “We, therefore, wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammad Buhari that the search for his successor as the APC Presidential Candidate be limited to our compatriots from the Southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the Northern state to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are delighted by the decision of our esteem colleague His Excellency Gov Abubakar Badru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.

“We did not expect anything short of this heart-warming decision from our colleagues, great patriots and reliable partners in the collaborative efforts geared towards the attainment of nationhood for our dear country.
” This is indeed another landmark achievement in our quest for understanding, rapprochement, and continual engagements for mutual beneficence.

“We acknowledge this courageous stance for equity and moral rectitude. We applaud the zeal and determination of our brothers to engage realistically and honestly. We salute this uncommon resolve to confront issues militating against the march towards nationhood and ultimate greatness. By this gesture, we are convinced of the seriousness of our colleagues to join other patriots in ensuring that the ascendant march towards stability, progress and prosperity is not truncated by indiscretion.

“We congratulate our brother Governor, Abubakar Badaru, for his exemplary conduct. Posterity will remember him for good. We thank the leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at this crucial moment. We look forward to conducting a hitch free Convention which will culminate in the election of a suitable candidate who will hoist the flag of the party with a sense of mission”.