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An advocacy group, Compass for New Nigeria (CNN), has appealed to southern leaders to replicate the camaraderie shown in the North, by supporting former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as consensus presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by its leader, Toluwalade George, titled: “Appealing to the conscience of southern leaders,” the group said the journey, so far, has proven that there was never a time that the south suffered dearth of materials for leadership but continually faced problem of right choice for leadership.

It said President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision for the south to consult was a blank cheque that must not be misused.

The group said: “Let’s start from his experience – no one currently in the race has his experience – he was Speaker for eight years and also chairman of Speakers for eight years. He was governor for eight years, and also chairman of governors for eight years. He was Buhari’s Director-General (DG) for two terms and minister for over seven years.

“So, without prejudice or ethnic sentiments, who again among the lot has that experience? Or should we throw away such staggering experiences on the altar of primordial sentiments? We recall former U.S. President, Barack Obama, describing such a situation as the age of anti-intellectualism.

“Like Obama rightly stated, if we want to build houses, we call the best of engineers. To hire drivers, we get the most experienced. To fly a plane, we get certified pilots to do it. Even in school, we get qualified teachers to teach our children, and we ask for the services of very qualified lawyers and doctors in peculiar situations, yet, when it comes to politics and governance, we would rather go for the worst among us. Isn’t that sickening?”

“Let’s talk about performance. As governor, Amaechi made Rivers a huge construction site. His policies in education still stand out. As DG, he got Buhari into office twice, and as a minister, the one thing that the Buhari administration can boast of today is the revolution currently going on in the railway sector. How do you campaign without an Amaechi in the forefront and subject matter? These issues are too simplistic to ignore.

“Above all, he is young, energetic, progressive in ideas and very futuristic. There could not have been a better person at a most auspicious time than Amaechi. He is honest, trustworthy and dependable. He does not lie or backstab people. He knows Nigeria, and his friends are across the length and breadth of the country.”