Senator Shehu Sani has said the 2023 presidency may elude the South if the South -East and South – West clamouring for it are not united. Sani said the two zones must unite and decide on one candidate for the election .
The Peoples Redemption Party chief , who represented Kaduna Central in the Senate from 2015 to 2019 , spoke in Abuja on Saturday at an interactive session organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists , FCT Council .
Sani said the ruling class was unyielding to the idea of rotational presidency and that it would take only a united South to win the 2023 presidential poll .
He said, “ It will be unfair for other sections of the country if one section uses its topographical or demographic advantage to hold onto power , knowing full well that it was not the topography or demographic advantage that delivered them power “Rotation of power is what I prescribe and stand for, whether that power goes to the South -East or South -West , it is dependent on the people of the South .
“ What I will say is that there is a possibility of producing a northern as President in 2023 if the South – East and the South -West remain divided in their resolve on the governance of the country .
“ It is this division that will be exploited by those who are proposing the issue of competence . ”
Sani said the direction of power did not depend on individuals ’ views but that it would be decided by the political blocs contending for the presidency in 2023 .
He added , “ If power moves to the South -East , it will be the final defeat of secessionists and also a formal end to the Nigerian civil war. ”
The former All Progressives Congress chief said he would continue to advocate that those in power should respect the principles of rotational power.
He warned that if the South -East and the South -West failed to heed his warning , they would lose out on the 2023 presidency .
Sani said, “ Also, if one major party supports the rotation of power and another refuses to support , there will still be trouble.
“ So, realising the respect for rotation of power will be dependent on three factors.
“ There will be the common resolve of the people of the South that power should move to the South .
“ Secondly , the common resolve of the South -East and South -West that this is where it will go to and the third is that the major party must accept this as a reality . ’
“ These three things are inevitable and one of them that is not considered will still end up with a northern presidency in 2023 . ”
He said his proposal was for peace and unity in the country .
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