Congress for Better Nigeria, a pro-Governor Yahaya Bello and North Central Presidency advocacy group, has decried the marginalization of the Middlebelt region in the nation’s political space.
Speaking at a world press conference on the 2023 presidency in Lokoja on Saturday, the convener of Congress for Better Nigeria, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, described the recent position of Southern Governors Forum on zoning as illogical and preposterous.
Zacchaeus maintained that the Governors’ demand for zoning 2023 Presidency to the southern part of the country does not reflect the sincere wishes of Nigerians.
He argued that if justice, equity and fairness are the driving force, North Central must be allowed to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
“The south, having held unto power for fourteen years since 1999 as against ten years by the north with 19 states and a higher population, there is need to allow for balance and equity with north central zone allowed to serve its term.
“Our nascent democracy was ushered in May 1999 and the south west produced Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who served two tenures of 8 years.
“The south south has also produced Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who spent 6 years in power.
“The north, however, produced presidents for a total of 10 years so far. The late Umaru Musa YarAdua spent 2 years and President Muhammadu Buhari, who is into his second tenure, would end up making the north to have a ten years in office by 2023.
“The north east and north west have had the privilege to have produced the nation’s president, without any iota of exaggeration, the north central remains the only zone yet to produce the president,” he said.
The group said it has identified the Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as the most suitable candidate from North Central geo-political zone to lead the country to the promised land.
“Our decision is informed by Governor Yahaya Bello’s ability to unite and secure our country.
“Without mincing words, his ability to unify Kogi state, that is a mini Nigeria, as well as make it the safest state in Nigeria presently speaks volumes. We add that his youth and women empowerment records in Nigeria remains unrivalled.
“The much needed religious harmony, infrastructure development, amongst other indices places Governor Yahaya Bello in a better place to lead Nigeria in 2023,” he argued.
Zacchaeus posited that despite being greatly marginalized, the north central has continued to hold true to the idea of a one indivisible country.
“The questions that has bothered us as a region is whether we do not possess the needed qualification to lead the country considering our investment and perseverance with other regions.
“When will equity, fairness and justice speak for our region? We can’t wait further. 2023 is our best time and we must put our all to actualize this lofty dream.
“We totally reject the continued relegation of our best heads across party lines to the role of party chairmanship as it has been over the decade.
“The position of the chairman of any party is truly desirable but after many years of organizing party affairs, we realized that we deserve better and that better is the presidency.
“We say NO to political marginalization which has brought nothing but backwardness and stagnation. We say NO to being viewed as a region unworthy of the presidential seat.”
The group called on all leaders in North Central to unite and form a formidable force that cannot be neglected.
