PRESS RELEASE
2023 PRESIDENCY: CONCERNED IGBO STAKEHOLDERS FORUM CONDEMNS NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM’S POSITION
The Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum (CISF) has condemned a comment made by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, which suggested that the North was ready to hold power beyond 2023.
The leader of the Concerned Igbos Stakeholders Forum, Mr. Chukwuma Okenwa, in a statement released in Enugu, described such comments as very disappointing and an aspersion to the intelligence and patience of southerners.
According to him, such comments are capable of exacerbating the already fragile peace of the country. Thus, further fueling secessionist movements in the country.
He said that Hameed Ahmed-Baba had insinuated in a recent media report that the North has what it takes to hold power beyond 2023 and should not cede political power to the South. In a quote, “We must lead Nigeria the way we have always led Nigeria, not because we are better than anybody else but because we have the majority of the votes,” is what he said.
Mr. Okenwa said in the spirit of equity and fairness that a president from southern extraction, specifically the southeast, should be a non-negotiable agenda. According to him, Southern Nigeria is more united than ever; and will vehemently resist any attempt to impose a Northern President on Nigerians come 2023.