The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders (SMBL) on Thursday kicked against the presidential aspirations of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, IgbereTV reports
The duo declared their intention to vie for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket earlier in the week.
The SMBL comprises leaders of the Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
In a statement signed by the trio of Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and two others, the group noted that Atiku’s and Tambuwal’s decision to join the presidential race was against the Southern governors’ position on the zoning of the presidency to the region in 2023.
The statement read: “That is why recent contentions by certain Northern politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on the issue of zoning are most disappointing.
“Atiku’s comments while reportedly addressing some PDP leaders are symptomatic of desperation and somewhat arrogance. His supposition that the APC has a moral obligation to zone the presidency but that the PDP does not is self-serving and illogical.
“PDP already has a National Chairman who is from the North, in the person of Distinguished Senator Iyorchia Ayu, from Benue State; the opinion that Senator Ayu would relinquish his position for somebody from the south if someone from the North emerges as the party’s presidential candidate is preposterous. Ayu was elected at the party’s convention with the expected consideration that the presidency would go the South
