President Muhammadu Buhari has backed a Southern candidate for the 2023 presidential election contrary to speculations that a Northerner might take over next year.
The president made this known at the dinner with the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives (APC) Congress on Saturday evening in Abuja.
Gistah had hinted that Muhammadu Buhari was billed to meet with all presidential aspirants of the APC on Saturday night.
At a meeting with governors on Tuesday, Buhari had called for reciprocity in choosing his successor.
“In keeping with the established internal policies of the party and as we approach the convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
“I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention.
” This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger,” Buhari said.
There had been concerns in the South about whether the president will back a Northern candidate as there had been rumours about Buhari moving to impose a consensus candidate on the party.
However, according to Buhari, it is the turn of the South to produce the country’s next president.