2023: We will support Kogi gov for President, if APC approves -Ebonyi Speaker
By Chinwe Onwosi
The National Vice Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of Nigeria, (South-East Zone) and Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru has said that the state legislators will support the kogi state Governor, yahaya Bello’s presidential ambition, if the All Progressives Congress, APC, approves him as the North Central candidate.
Speaker Nwifuru said this when Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole, alongside seven of his colleagues visited Ebonyi State to solicit support of the State Legislators for the 2023 presidential ambition of their State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Monday, 18th January 2021 at the speakers lodge.
Rt. Hon. Francis while reacting to speaker Kolawole who said that it was the turn of the North Central zone to produce the President of Nigeria, stated that based on equity, the South-East zone also deserved the presidential position.
He appealed to the kogi lawmakers to also support David Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor to rule the country in 2023 saying “I appeal that if the Party zones the presidential position to the South-East zone, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi should be supported to rule the country, while Governor Bello can still be supported to be his Vice President”, he said
Earlier in his remark, Rt Hon. Kolawole maintained that Governor Bello was the best candidate to rule Nigeria come 2023 as has performed admirably and won several awards especially on security, which was an indication he could handle the security challenges in the country.
He explained that the North-Central and South -East regions deserved consideration for the positions of Nigeria President and Vice President, in 2023 adding that the two geographical zones had not been given any chance to occupy the nation’s Presidency.
The kogi speaker applauded the defection of Governor Umahi to the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying it was in the best interest of the region.
He stressed that the support of Ebonyi to the Bello’s 2023 project, would automatically make Governor Umahi become the Vice President.
“Your people will benefit more. We in Kogi House have robust relationships with the executive arm. For best functionality, you need cordiality with other arms. Our Governor is the youngest and doing well including security.
“We have passed vote of confidence on him. We went further to look at the geopolitical zone in the country. We passed the resolution that our governor should be the first to contest the president in 2023. We feel he can handle this country. Let there be fair sharing in the position.
“North Central should produce the president in 2023. It’s a notification that our governor will be contesting for the president in 2023. We urged the APC members in the State that the North Central and South East should produce the president and vice president in 2023” Kolawole said.
