2023: Northern Nigeria free to produce next president – Buhari’s ex-Minister, Shittu

BY: Oliseama Okwuchukwu

The immediate past Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said the North is free to contest in the 2023 general elections.

There have been speculations that the South will produce Nigeria’s next president.

But speaking with journalists Thursday in Abuja, Shittu declared he has never been an advocate of zoning but has always rooted for competent people.

“Honestly, as far as I am concerned, when you talk of national politics, every party must allow for primary election.

“Whoever is able to emerge should be the candidate. I mean, party leaders from every part of the country will take part in this primary election.

“Are you saying if my brother from my hometown wants to contest, if I find out that he has no capacity to contest, must I stupidly follow him because he is my brother, when it is not a family business?

“The constitution does not talk of zoning with regards to presidential election. What the constitution says is wherever the president comes from; the vice president should come from another part of Nigeria. So, it is not about north or south. We did not vote for Buhari because he is from the north. We voted for him because of his pedigree,” Shittu said.