Salihu Lukman, former director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), says the possibility of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) producing a northern presidential candidate is a threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ahead of the 2023 elections, there has been a clamour from various quarters to zone the presidency to the south. In a statement issued on Thursday, Lukman said it is “almost conclusive” that there is no negotiation of zoning the PDP presidential ticket to the south. “The potential that PDP will produce a northern candidate presents a very strong challenge to the APC, which will affect the emergence of a ‘quality leader’ as the presidential candidate of APC,” he said. Lukman said a new organisation known as ‘The Association’ — made up of businessmen, political and civil society leaders, including 14 current governors — is key to opening the political spaces in the PDP and APC. “Therefore, the new political value potentially being created by a group such as the ‘association’ is the possibility of opening the political spaces in the country, including within the current big parties (APC and PDP) to produce higher quality leaders that what would have ordinarily been the case in 2023,” he said. “It will require some superior organising to produce such a higher quality desired different outcome, which is why such an initiative requires the support of all patriotic Nigerians. “The other dynamic is also the question of providing a level playing field for candidates from all parts of the country. “There are many leaders across the country and in both PDP and APC who could have qualified to emerge as candidates with all the ‘quality leadership’ credentials being envisioned with reference to any leadership qualification.” The APC chieftain added that politicians must be made to organise their campaigns based on honesty.

  President Muhammadu Buhari has advised diplomats in the country to stay within the limits of their schedules and not meddle in the internal politics of the nation as the 2023 elections approach. President Buhari said this at the presentation of Letters of Credence to ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy, Stephano De Leo; Spain, Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz, and Israel, Michael Shual Freeman in Abuja on Thursday. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Observe, but don’t interfere in internal politics, President Buhari tells diplomats ahead of 2023 elections.’ “You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria at the very interesting political period as Nigeria’s national elections are due in early 2023,” he said. “As you settle down in the face of these developments, it is my hope that you will also be guided by diplomatic practice, to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to and the conduct of the general elections next year.’’ President Buhari had in October 2021 issued the same caution to diplomats who he also called on to adequately monitor the build-up to and the conduct of the 2023 general elections as well as support the country in addressing rising global insecurity. He urged the ambassadors to build lasting friendships while performing their duties that will go beyond assignments in Nigeria. “We are living in unprecedented times and with so many uncertainties, especially with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in global insecurity, and the devastation of our environments caused by climate change among other existential threats to our collective peace, progress, and shared values. “Different factors that accounted for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain alone. Matters of security have become the business of all the nations of the world to work closely together to build consensus in order to overcome these challenges,’’ he noted. “For us in Nigeria,’’ President Buhari told the diplomats, “we continue to make steady progress despite the daunting challenges, especially in the areas of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance, amongst other aspirations.’’ The president noted that Nigeria’s differences and divergence in culture and religion had contributed immensely in cementing unity, as a people, as well as spurring religious tolerance and respect for one another. On the regional level, the president said Nigeria will continue to work with other member-states of ECOWAS and regional blocs to deal with the problems of terrorism, trans-border crimes, banditry, maritime issues, and unconstitutional change of government. “We are engaging in frank self-retrospection in order to identify and isolate appropriate containment strategies that can help de-escalate the drift into the unconstitutional seizure of power in the sub-region,’’ Buhari added. President Buhari assured of partnership and mutual cooperation in canvassing more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the healthcare system, education, infrastructure, local manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, and transportation.

  A coalition of support groups of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has advised the former number two citizen not to run for the presidency in 2023 but support a south-eastern candidate. The coalition is made up of the Middle Belt Network for Atiku, North For North Support Group for Atiku, Turaki Arewa Vanguard for Atiku and South-West Development Frontiers. Abubakar has not officially declared his presidential bid but it is said that he is warming up to run for the highest office in the land — yet again. Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Femi Osabinu, convener of the South-West Development Frontiers, said age is not on the side of the former vice-president. Osabinu said the country needs a young and energetic person who would be able to handle the rigours of office. “We make a clear and undiluted call on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to give second thoughts to his desire to contest for the office of president in the elections again in 2023,” he said. “While Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has served the nation with distinction, as evidenced in the fact that we have been his supporters for years, it is also undeniable that at 77 years of age going into this race, it will be a mismatch of national priorities to support his quest, taking into consideration the unique interplay of circumstances currently confronting our country. “Nigeria needs a young and more energetic unifier, who will be able to handle the rigours of being physically present in crisis spots to make the physical and psychological statement of the government being in charge and committed to finding lasting solutions to our national challenges. “The time is now, if we must save Nigeria, for a younger candidate to take the saddle and take back our country from a particular set of Nigerians who are in their late seventies and eighties “Our members, in their numbers across the country, are on standby in the various political parties and consulting from outside of the parties to ensure that the south eastern presidency is achieved in 2023.” The convener said their call is based on the “mood of the nation”.