Northern Leaders Adopt Atiku As Consensus Candidate

The Forum of Christian and Muslim Political Leaders from the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), headed by the former speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara have adopted the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the consensus candidate for the 2023 election.

It will be recalled that the forum of Northern Christian and Muslim leaders led by Dogara had on October 8, set up the committee to recommend a pan-Nigerian platform to adopt in the 2023 presidential election.

In a report of Northern leaders Technical Criteria Committee signed by the chairman of the committee, former minority leader at the house of representatives, Hon. Kumalia Umar Muhammed and its Secretary, Barrister Mela Nunge, read by Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba, Friday night in Abuja, they adopted PDP and Atiku Abubakar as the person they will support in the 2023 presidential election.

The report also accused the APC is heading for implosion and extinction; hence it cannot be the party for now and in the future because of its rejection to embrace inclusiveness in a diverse Country like Nigeria.

After the 2023 elections, APC may be dead and buried as a political party.

“After a careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we hereby recommend for the adoption of the PDP, to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, for the 2023 presidential election.”

“PDP from all indications seems to be above boardin every criterion as postulated. It is nationalistic in spread even though not free from internal crisis like each of the other political parties.If the momentum is aggressively sustained, it will be the party to reckon with.

“While the duo (NNPP and LP) may emerge as strong contenders in the political arena in the future, from all indications, PDP appears to be the best option to adopt and support.”

The reported noted that with proper consultations and inclusive appointments, which is mindful of the Federal Character principles with sincere consideration of diverse issues such as religious affiliation, geographical location and ethnic identity, which many believe will enhance justice, fairness and equity

It also observed that the seven and a half years of the APC government has engendered wide spread national perception of its inability to tackle security challenges and turn around the national economy.