The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, has reiterated that any political party that fields a northerner as its presidential candidate would suffer defeat.
This is as he insisted that the next president of the country must come from the South.
The Ondo State Governor warned that any political party that fields presidential candidate from the North would not have the support of the southern governors.
The governor spoke in his office in Akure during a courtesy visit by members of a group, the Power Rotation Movement, led by Dr Pogu Bitrus.
According to him, those pushing against power rotation in the country are toying with the existence of Nigeria.
He said, “In about two or three meetings, we (governors) have come out and declared that power must move to the south.
“Only a party that is determined to lose will field a northern candidate. You are now a movement of members of political parties coming together. What we stand for is fair and equitable power rotation. The only fair thing is that after eight years in the North, Presidency should come to the south.
“Some of us believe in one Nigeria that is fair and equitable. We have a reason for it and it can be defended. Some people have argued that the Presidency should be based on competence. Are they saying there are no competent ones in the south?
“My brother governors from the south, all of us are determined. Whosoever we pick, for as long as it is south, we will support him. We are saying the President must come from the south. There are people who merit it in the South-South, South- East, and the South-West.”
