The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdulahi Adamu has said that the 2023 presidency has not been zoned to any particular region.
He stated that those “peddling the falsehood are doing so on their own peril.”
Adamu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on media, Muhammed Nata’ala Keffi, stressed that when the presidential aspirants met with the President Muhammadu Buhari, there was no time that he declared that the presidency was zoned to the South.
Adamu stated further that the contest was still open to all the aspirants.
He said: ”For clarity about zoning issue that is circulating all over social media is not true. It is fake, mischievous and misleading by unscrupulous elements that mean no well to this nation.
“Mr. President stated that ‘without prejudice to your qualifications, I urge all of you to hold consultations amongst yourselves and with the party, with a view to building a consensus in a manner that would help the party reduce the number of aspirants, bring up a formidable candidate and scale down the anxiety of party members.’
“He also reminded the APC Governors of the need for the party to proceed to the 2023 presidential elections with strength, unity of purpose and to present a flag bearer who will give Nigerians a sense of hope and confidence, while insuring victory for our party and I extend a similar reminder to all of you distinguished aspirants.
”The president assured us that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would continue to provide effective leadership during the transition processes and ongoing consultations and until we successfully make the choice on the candidate that will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger, I seek your support in this all-important responsibility.
”The president assured us that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would continue to provide effective leadership during the transition processes and ongoing consultations and until we successfully make the choice on the candidate that will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger. I seek your support in this all-important responsibility.’
”From the above quotations from Mr. President’s speech, nowhere was zoning mentioned. Therefore, we call on the public to disregard any information about the zoning of the presidential contest in any part country. What Mr. President wants is the interest of Nigerians. No more, no less.
”Whoever is more credible and can move Nigeria forward with sincerity of purpose and can be acceptable to Nigerians is welcome”, the statement read.
