Governors in the North and traditional rulers yesterday opposed the resolution by Southern governors seeking a power shift in 2023.
The governors under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, and the monarchs after a meeting in Kaduna, described the clamour for power rotation as unconstitutional.
Northern Governors’ Forum Chairman and Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, read the resolutions of the meeting.
He said: “The Forum observed that some Northern State governors had earlier expressed views for a power shift to three geo-political zones in the South, with a view to promoting unity and peace in the nation.
“Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemns the statement by the Southern Governors’ Forum that the Presidency must go to the South.
“The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria (1999), as amended, that the elected President shall score majority votes; score at least, 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-third states of the federation. In the case of run-up, simple majority win the election.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, led monarchs to the meeting at the Council Chamber of the Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
In reaction, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said the governors and the emirs have the right to their opinion.
“They have expressed and indeed exercised their rights under Freedom of Expression. No one can stop them from expressing themselves,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Prof. Babagana Zulum (Borno), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).
Other monarchs at the meeting included Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, Ohinoyi Ebira, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu, Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, and Emir of Gumi, Justice Lawal Aliyu.
Others are; Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad, Emir of Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammad Idrisa, Emir Hadejia, Dr. Adamu Abubakar, Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar and Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn Elkanemi.
