The Northern governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider a Southerner as his likely successor in 2023.

Following a meeting on Saturday, the governors released a statement to that effect.

Eleven northern governors signed a declaration urging presidential candidates in the region to withdraw in the national interest.

Buhari recently urged APC governors to give him the authority to choose his successor.

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He claimed that because governors choose their successors, he should be entitled to do the same at the national level.

The statement entitled ‘statement by Northern States APC Governors and political leaders’ reads in full;

“APC governors and political leaders from the northern states of Nigeria today met to review the political situation and to further support our Party in providing progressive leadership amidst our national challenges.

“During our discussions, we welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation to governors and other stakeholders to contribute to the emergence of a strong presidential candidate for the APC.

“After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the southern states of Nigeria.

“It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in any way affected by the decisions taken by another political party.

“We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.

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