Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Governor of Kano State and Senator representing Kano Central District, said Nigeria’s next president should come from the southern part of the country.
Shekarau said by 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari would have been in power for eight years, and “common sense tells that we should look the other side, to the Southern part of Nigeria”.
The Ex-Kano Governor made the comments while featuring on television programme monitored by The PUNCH.
The senator said there is common sense expectation of balancing and giving everybody a sense of belonging and fairness.
He, however, added that reliable and competent hands should be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Nigeria in 2023.
“The Constitution of Nigeria or the constitution of any of the political parties didn’t say if I am from the North, my running mate must be from the South. It is not written, but if today, I am a presidential candidate from Kano and I tell you my running mate is from Bauchi, you will say something is wrong with me.
“North has produced the president for eight years. Common sense tells that we should look the other side, to the southern part of Nigeria. We should recognise the North and the South; this is elementary geography and history.
“Perception is what you have to carry along. If you continue to dominate on one particular side, the perception from the other side is, ‘What about me?”
Asked if he has the intention to run for president in 2023, the one-time presidential candidate said, “I don’t know about that. We haven’t gotten there yet,” but quickly added, “I am already giving it some thoughts.”
