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A socioa-political group, Coalition for a Better Nigeria has condemned in strong terms, the statement credited to the older Nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Mamman Daura, for saying competence, rather than zoning should be the guiding principle for the 2023 presidential election.
A release signed on Saturday by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji, said It is illogical for the man of his calibre to believe that only the north have the competent people to be the next Nigerian president.
He said: “Malam Nasir El – Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, first laid the premise for this school of thought but we are glad at the increasing number of people of timbre and calibre from the north, like former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; Senator representing Borno South and Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume and notable others including the repentant Governor of Kaduna State, Malam El – Rufai, have started thinking in the direction of popular philosophy – 2023 Rotational Presidency: The only way forward.
“How can a peace loving Nigerian from anywhere be advocating for continued retention of power for another 8 years at expense of the south after the north would have spent their unbroken 8 years in power by May 29, 2023.
“It is on this note, we are genuinely calling on Mr President to please warn this illustrious son of the north to keep quiet henceforth and distance himself from any other person or group that is likely to join the train later because the impression he gave the public was that he was speaking the mind of Mr President based on his blood relationship
“Literally, he was telling the people of Southwl West that they were stupid to deliver bloc votes to Mr President in 2015 and 2019 general elections,” Awa said.
The statement decried the ceaseless rate of killings of innocent people in southern Kaduna despite the curfew imposed by the state governmen, noting that it will be a thing of joy to Nigerians if the Governor El – Rufai could give the situation the priority it deserves, by finding an urgent and lasting solution to the perennial massacre in the area.
“We are equally bordered by last week’s attack on Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, and general insecurity in the Country. This calls for immediate rejigging of the security architecture by President Buhari,” the statement said.
It added: “We congratulate Barrister Olumide Anthony Akpata, on his resounding victory at the presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and wish him a successful tenure as he is getting set to pilot the affairs of the bench to the next level
“We rejoice with a renowned pharmacist, accomplished legal practitioner, exemplary philanthropist and prince of Ado Ekiti, Founder of Juli Pharmacy Plc, Chairman, MTN Foundation and a former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi – Adeluyi, OFR, MNI, @ 80.
“Happy Birthday to our aged Human Rights’ activist of note and widow of the late Comrade Ola – Oni of blessed memory, Comrade (Mrs) Grace Kehinde Ola – Oni (Nee Olotu from Okerowo, Ifon, Ondo State) and her twin Sister, Olori Victoria Taiwo Adesida @ 77.
“They are the first twin sisters in Nigeria to contest as beauty queens and won, Miss West, on 7th June 1965. Gbosa! for both of you, 7 times, for turning 77.
“We rejoice with the philanthropist of note, Founder and Chairman of one of Africa’s leading conglomerates, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabi’u @ 60.
“We say many happy returns to all our firebrand politicians and foremost Nigerian Senators, starting from the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige @ 68, to former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Musliu Obanikoro @ 60, Deputy Senate President, Barrister Obarisi Ovie Omo – Agege @ 57, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele @ 57, Senator representing Ekiti Central and the immediate past Hon. Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Najeemdeen Fisayo Salamdeen, Iwaloye, @ 55, who was recently appointed by Mr President as the Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development of the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NICOMSAT).
“The latest appointments of Senator Gbenga Ashafa as Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority with immediate effect and
Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, as Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, with effect from July 16, 2020 for an initial term of four years, is a welcome development.
“We congratulate both of them as well as those appointed by Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State recently.
“To all our esteemed Ambassadors in the NBA, Federal and Osun State Governments, we say Congratulations!”