A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Cross Rivers, High Chief Ray Morphy, has described the party’s governors from the Northern region as ‘great patriots’ for backing a power shift to the South in 2023.
Chief Morphy, who is also the convener of Rebuild Nigeria, a forum canvassing for genuine reorientation of Nigerians and their institutions for better development of Nigeria, commended the official statement released by the APC Northern Governors and stakeholders in which they urged President Muhammadu Buhari to look Southwards for his successor.
According to the APC Northern governors’ statement after its deliberations on Saturday evening, “It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in any way affected by the decisions taken by another political party.
“We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.
“We therefore wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to our compatriots from the southern states.
“We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries.”
Reacting to the development, Chief Morphy, through a statement released on Sunday, also commended the Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru for his patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.
The APC chieftain said, “The Northern governors have demonstrated their commitment to a united Nigeria; hence, they are patriots and shining lights of our democracy.”
“I, however, commend the signatories of the document. The history will be kind to them for putting Nigeria first at this critical juncture of our nation’s trajectory,” Chief Morphy said.
The APC chieftain also called on the Southern APC leaders to reciprocate the good gestures of the Northern counterparts by peacefully and amicably agreeing on a formidable consensus candidate with the capacities needed to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.
