…says ‘we won’t hand over to South’
Umbrella Northern youth group, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, says the North will retain power in 2023.
The AYCF said that the North still wanted the Presidency in 2023 and would not cede power to the South.
AYCF President, Shettima Yerima, said on Tuesday that it was irritating to the entire North for some southern politicians to think Northerners would hand over power to them in 2023.
He said, “How can you think we will cede power to the South in 2023? The North still wants the presidency. The south is in charge of the economy and they have everything. So, why would they want to take away the only thing we have.
“What would you call that? Even if we are ceding power to the south in 2023, we should be considering people like Orji Uzor Kalu. He is someone the north trusts and the Northern elders will give him their full support. Most Nigerians don’t know that Kalu’s incarceration emanated from conspiracy and betrayal from his own party, the APC,” he said.
Yerima alleged that the apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and some chieftains of the APC conspired during Senator Orji Kalu’s travails.
He, however, thanked Northern elders for standing by the former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate during his six months incarceration at Kuje custodial centre.
He accused the leaders of the APC from the South of conspiring against Kalu because of the 2023 presidential ambition.
The AYCF leader also lambasted the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo and other Igbo leaders for keeping silent during the entire period of Kalu’s travails.
He cautioned the North over the dangers of abandoning the former governor in custody, adding that Northern elders must be commended for “standing firm for Kalu,” who he referred to as their “long-time ally, brother and friend.
“We specifically thank Chairman of Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, for proving critics wrong on the North’s stand on Kalu,” he said.
Yerima also thanked the Supreme Court and Justice Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court for standing on the path of justice.
He said, “It is very important to appreciate the justices of the Supreme Court and Justice Liman of the Federal High Court for their moral and professional courage to uphold justice. Kalu’s release is a victory for decency, for patriotism and respect for the rule of law. They once again proved that Judiciary is the survival of democracy.”
“However, we question the usefulness of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to Igbo elite. It is a disappointment that Ohanaeze under the leadership of Nwodo specifically did nothing to support their own, yet they want a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.
“Please, where will this president come from? Kalu is one of their biggest assets but they all kept quiet. It’s only the Ohanaeze youths that spoke strongly for Kalu but Nwodo and his members shied away from the real leadership they ought to render. Who knows if they were also paid to betray their own? It’s very shameful of them.
“It irritates the entire North for some southern politicians to think they will leave power for them (South) come 2023.How can you think we will cede power to the South in 2023?