. . . Task politicians not to mortgage country’s future

Politicians from the Southern part of Nigeria have been warned against mortgaging the future of the country.

Elder statesmen under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) handed down the warning yesterday, Saturday, May 28, as the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) began its primary election in Abuja to select its presidential flag bearer.

The party’s presidential delegate election is holding in defiance to the clamour for zoning its ticket to the South East.

The leaders gave the warning in a statement signed by Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere leader, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President-General, Middle Belt Forum and Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The elder statesmen called on party delegates to shun primordial considerations in their choice of candidate.

While warning that the unity and peace of Nigeria could be jeopardized if the delegates consented to the unwarrantable determinations being paraded, the Forum insists,

“They MUST only vote in the national interest to preserve the oneness of Nigeria”.

The Forum specifically, urges delegates to cast their votes for only credible aspirants from the SOUTH.

The leaders also call on Nigerians particularly, Southern and Middle Belt people to reject any political party that fails to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

Furthermore, the Forum warns that “it would be TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE for the major political parties in the country to choose candidates from the North as Flag bearers for the 2023 presidency. This is given the fact that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, under President Muhammadu Buhari, and therefore, asserts that the next President of Nigeria should come from the South, particularly the South East”.

The Forum stressed: “This country belongs to all of us and we all have equal stakes. Any attempt by any group of persons to hold on to political power in perpetuity to the exclusion of the rest of Nigeria will be disastrous.

“It bears reminding the political class that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power, accordingly, we restate our call on all lovers of peace and equity in Nigeria, particularly our people of Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt region, to REJECT any political party that fails to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

“SMBLF, likewise, sternly cautions all persons from Southern Nigeria including politicians, public servants, professionals, and academics, NOT TO ACCEPT, on any justification, the position of Vice President.

“This will not only be a dishonourable legacy for them and generations after them but tantamount to slavishly mortgaging the political future of the people of Southern Nigeria!

“It is noted, without a doubt, that the nation is at a critical point, therefore, we strongly urge leaders of Nigeria; true patriots, statesmen and women, to intervene in the political process to save the country from the reckless endangerment of its future corporate existence by the avoidable intrigues and manoeuvres of some self-seeking politicians”.