2023: North’s population will produce President, “heaven won’t fall” – Baba-Ahmed

Amid conflict of interest between the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria with regard to 2023 presidency, Northern Elders Forum said heaven will not fall if the north produces another presidency after Muhammadu Buhari.

Spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed stated this while delivering a keynote address at the maiden Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

The lecture which was organized by Students wing of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) over the weekend, has Baba-Ahmed as a guest speaker and he said, North has the population to clinch presidency anytime.

According to him, the northerners are not second class citizens and would not play the second fiddle in 2023.

Baba-Ahmed said those waiting to buy North’s population in 2023 general election will be surprised as the region is not for sale.

He further advised that anyone who dislike a northerner president in 2023 should excuse himself and leave Nigeria, if a northerner becomes a President.

Baba-Ahmed also charged the students to be proud of who they are, challenging them not to accept being treated as second-class citizens in their own country.

“We will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before, whether we are President or Vice President, we will lead Nigeria. We have the majority of the votes and the democracy says vote whom you want.

He charged Northerners not to accept second class position, saying the first class was meant for them as a result of their population, adding that they wouldn’t be intimidated by anything.

The Spokesman urged Northerners to be humble, while seeking power, noting that power comes from God.

“We will get that power, but be humble because power comes from God. We inherited leadership, being honest is not being stupid.”

Baba-Ahmed pointed out that the North was being for granted because of its crumbling economy due to insecurity; and its political vulnerability, but said such thinking was a mistake.

“We are ready for this; we will consider every economic adversity, challenge, we will fix the Northern economy and we are the only one who can fix this Northern economy. For that reason, we are not for sale. We are in the process of rebuilding the North and we will rebuild the North from 2023

Baba-Ahmed said whether the north holds power in 2023 or not, anybody who wants to break up in this country will say so, as they are just looking for excuses.