TheCable

The Nigeria Equity Group (NEG) says it will be unfair if a southern Christian candidate does not emerge president in 2023.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Emeka Nwosu, national convener of NEG, said having a southern Christian will avert an “unprecedented national crisis”.

Nwosu said the call is beginning to resonate with some northern politicians like Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, who supports a southern president.

Zulum had said: “I have said it times without number that I, Professor Babagana Zulum, I am of the view that the presidency should go to the south in the year 2023 because the unity of our country is very important.”

The convener noted that the manner power has changed hands between both faiths, since 1999, has ensured “balance and inclusion at the highest level of our politics”.

“We strongly believe that the only way to truly promote fairness and inclusion in our diverse and complex society, especially at this time of unprecedented national crisis, is for a power shift to a southern Christian in 2023,” he said.

“Anything other than this will further exacerbate the rifts and wounds that have become more evident lately and do not bode well for our country.

“Nigeria’s population is divided almost in equal half by the adherents of the two major faiths of Christianity and Islam. If that happens, it would mean that no Christian can hope to become president of this country in the foreseeable future. There is a zero chance of a Christian minority emerging president from the north when power shifts there again.

“It should not be different in 2023. To shut out Christians, who make up about half of Nigeria’s population from power for 16 years, assuming another Muslim takes over from Buhari, will be grossly unfair and bad politics that will lead to deleterious outcome for the country.

“The population of the north is overwhelmingly Islamic and the Christian minorities barely feature in the mainstream politics of the region, except in a handful of states.

“Therefore, the only chance of a Christian becoming president in Nigeria is when there is a power shift to the south, as it will happen in 2023.”

Nwosu said politicians should ensure that the bond that binds the country should not be weakened.