The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has said that the 2023 presidency is the right of the North, and will in no stance allow the south to take it away from them, stressing that the south already has the country’s economy.
Speaking to pressmen on Tuesday, President of the AYCF, Shettima Yerima, noted that it pains the entire North for some southern politicians to think Northerners will leave power for them in 2023, adding that such is the only thing left of them in the country.
He also noted that if there should be any plan to cede power to the South, it would choose people like Orji Uzor Kalu whom he said is trustworthy and would gain the blessings of the northern elders.
In his words: “We specifically thank Chairman of Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, for proving critics wrong on the North’s stand on Kalu,” 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 the Judiciary is the survival of democracy.
“However, we question the usefulness of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the 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? the sky? 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?” He queried the journalists. ”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.
“Some leaders of the party from the south who have become desperate about 2023 presidency wanted to kick Kalu out of the race through the machiavellian way. They don’t like open competition. I was surprised they have no love. They are full of hatred and they want to be President.
The amount of hatred in that party is so much. What’s exactly Kalu’s offense? 2023? Look at what is also happening in Edo state. It’s a pity”
“I remember when Kalu as a governor initiated the idea of publishing the state accounts on the print media. That showed a lot. I think the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should have a rethink on Kalu’s case. The resources they have wasted on pursuing the case for the past 13 years. Is it worth it?
“My advice is that they should sheathe their swords and let Kalu be. They should not allow some desperate politicians to dictate to them what they should do,” he said.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
