Statement by Northern States’ APC Governors and Political Leaders

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 anyway 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.

We therefore wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search
for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to our compatriots from the
southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national
interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are
delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar
Badaru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.

The APC has a duty to ensure that the 2023 elections offer a nation-building moment,
reaffirming that a democratic pathway to power exists for all who value cooperation and
build national platforms. This moment calls for the most sober and inclusive approach to
selecting our party’s candidate, and we call on all APC leaders to fulfil their responsibility in
this regard.

Signed, 4th June 2022:

1. Aminu Bello Masari Governor of Katsina State

2. Abubakar Sani Bello
3. Abdullahi A. Sule
4. Prof. B.G. Umara Zulum
5. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai
6. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya
7. Bello M. Matawalle
8. Simon Bako Lalong
9. Senator Aliyu Wamakko
10. Dr. A.U. Ganduje
11. Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
Governor of Niger State
Governor of Nasarawa State
Governor of Borno State
Governor of Kaduna State
Governor of Gombe State
Governor of Zamfara State
Governor of Plateau State
Former Governor of Sokoto State
Governor of Kano State
Governor of Kebbi State

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