2023: These are people who will decide which zone Buhari’s successor will come from – APC chieftain reveals

Sade AdewaleDecember 5, 2020

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Former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said that it is too early for leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to start heating up the polity about which section of the country will secure the party’s presidential slot in 2023.

The Senator representing Borno Central assured that President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party will resolve the zoning issue in the fullest of time.

Shettima who spoke during a two day high level mid-term retreat held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said ruling APC won’t disintegrate over presidential ticket contrary to insinuation that the party was on the verge of collapse over zoning.

He spoke alongside Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola on the essence of assessment by any government and the expediency of success after tenure for a leader to have enduring legacy.

But speaking against the backdrop of the pervasive fears that the APC might be heading for a showdown over zoning, Shettima exuded confidence that the issue will be handled with tact and wisdom by party top hierarchy of the party.

“Don’t forget that our party still controls the Presidency. We have a leader and other competent leaders that can manage every crisis situation.

“At the appropriate time, our leaders will sit and take the most apt decision that will resolve the issue.

“APC is a party that is united and nothing can break us. I am confident that we will win the 2023 presidential election. APC still remains the party to beat because of the unity of purpose and togetherness as well as desire to deliver for Nigerians.

“So, I am confident and no cause for alarm, what you called controversy will be resolved in the fullest of time,” he assured.

Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, on Tuesday, December 1, backed the Work and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola’s call to honour the zoning formula ahead of 2023.

Speaking on Channels TV, Amaechi said the APC is built on the principles of zoning and should be accorded the deserved respect in picking its presidential candidates.

Amaechi’s statement is coming barely three days Fashola advised the leadership of the APC to respect and honour the agreement reached at the formative stage of the party for zoning to take place.

Meanwhile, Fashola’s comments seem to have triggered more comments on the issue, with several APC chieftains giving contrary information on the true situation of things.

The APC northeast vice-chairman, Mustapha Salihu, asked the minister to explain the quarters where it was done and the parties to the unwritten agreement.

“First, he has to provide people that were privy to that agreement.

Even if he didn’t mention names, he will say the stage where it was done, whether at the point of merger, then you know from research those that participated in the merger.”