Governors’ face-off over 2023 presidency unfortunate, says Ganduje

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed worry over the raging disagreement between the northern governors and their southern counterparts over 2023 presidency, saying it was unnecessary. He declared that governors are elected to unite and not to destroy the country.

Ganduje raised the concern at the Sani Abacha Stadium during the independence anniversary ceremony.

The 19 northern governors recently kicked against their 17 southern counterparts on rotational presidency and resources control. The southern leaders, at their last meeting, insisted that the next president of the country must emerge from the south while agitating withdrawal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from Federal Government.

But the northern governors, at their Kaduna meeting, insisted that rotational presidency is unconstitutional and opposed the position of the south on VAT.

Ganduje, who said the indivisibility of Nigeria was paramount, urged the elite to build national interest and jettison personal aggrandizement.

On security, the governor urged Kano residents to be vigilant on activities around their neighborhood. He promised to deploy necessary resources to sustain peace and stability in Kano.

“The unity of Nigeria should remain the paramount and unifying factor. Our elite, irrespective of faith, ethnicity and political interest, must unite to build a united Nigeria.

“The disagreement between the northern and southern governors is not necessary and most unfortunate because governors are elected to build and not to destroy the country.

“I call on the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to convey the large house for the purpose of resolving the lingering issues”, Ganduje said.