People who don't really know much about Nigerian politics believe the North always want to be in power. Same way they believe you can not join the military unless you are "hausa/fulani". Same way they believe every nothern president wants to islamize Nigeria. Ignorance stink walahi. The only time since the return of democracy the North have insisted on taking back power was after the demise of Yaradua where they felt they were being cheated in the zoning arrangement. By 2023, every northerner knows power is going back to the south and the only thing on their mind is to make sure it doesn't go to a particular geopolitical zone in the south. As it is, the ruling party has a strong candidate with the backing of the most influential politician in the north. He looks stronger than any other candidate from the south. It is not likely pdp will present a northerner as their presidential candidate, but if it happens, it will be quite unfortunate for him and for pdp as it will obviously be an act of desperation. The North will not support such a candidate. They all know that it will be cheating and it is not in the nature of a Hausa man to cheat. Furthermore, as can be seen from the governorship elections, most Notherners don't really vote party. They vote candidate. Just so you know, Buhari doesn't have the cult like followership up north just because he is a notherner. He has a lot of personal qualities working for him. As it is now, the best candidates are in the ruling party.
One other factor that will likely play out is the south east alliance. As it stands, the North will always lean away from candidates with massive south east support. You can take that to the bank.
And lastly, the North is more than comfortable leaving power with the south west. Because they know they will never hand over to another southern region.
So please, saying the North are strategizing to hold on to power in 2023 is very much insulting to the north. That's not our nature.

Igbos no go agree. They think Notherners are like them.

drink water on this one first