North is marginalised, should produce president in 2023 – Dokpesi

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and founder of Daar Communications PLC, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi has said, Northern geopolitical zone has been marginalised and should produce the next president in 2023.

He stated this when he led a delegation of supporters of Atiku presidential ambition on a courtesy visit to the North Central People’s Forum on Tuesday in Abuja.

He cited the late President Musa Yar’adua who died in office as reason responsible for marginalisation of the North, while throwing his weight behind the north, Dokpesi added that they should be allowed to produce president in 2023 to balance the trajectory.

The media mogul said his choice is in line with the party’s agreement during its convention in 2006.

“2023 is still the turn of the North based on the PDP agreement and calculation. The records of the PDP are there. Some people said why should we bring a Fulani man again, and I said have we not been living with Fulani people? I was brought up by a Fulani man, Bamanga Tukur” he said.

Meanwhile, Former Governor of Nasarawa State and the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairmanship aspirant, Senator Umar Al-makura who visited the North Central People’s Forum earlier said he is vying for the position of the National Chairmanship to promote unity and therefore seeking for support and blessing from the forum.

He said: “I’m a citizen of North central zone and I feel before I embark on a full blast campaign, I should seek the blessing at home.

“I have come to intimate them and notify them about my intention to contest for the office of the National Chairman of APC and with this I feel the door is open for me to hit the ground running to reach out to other zones and solicit their supports and commitment to this project so that by the special grace of God when the convention comes, I will emerge as the National Chairman of APC” he added.

Senator Al-makura also expressed support for all individuals from the North Central vying for electoral positions in the next general elections.

Reacting, the National Chairman of the North-Central People’s Forum, Arc. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, said that though the Forum had a non-partisan mandate, it was concerned about the interest of the people of the region.

He also agreed that the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has what it takes to be the next president of the country.

Also responding to Senator Al-makura, Arc Aduku described him as a good product of the North Central zone.

He expressed optimism that at the end of the APC National convention, there will be cause to celebrate.