{"id":510,"date":"2021-09-20T16:39:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T15:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes557122118.wordpress.com\/2021\/09\/20\/2023-we-will-lead-nigeria-because-we-have-majority-of-the-votes___northern-elder\/"},"modified":"2021-09-20T16:39:22","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T15:39:22","slug":"2023-we-will-lead-nigeria-because-we-have-majority-of-the-votes___northern-elder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2021\/09\/20\/2023-we-will-lead-nigeria-because-we-have-majority-of-the-votes___northern-elder\/","title":{"rendered":"2023: We Will Lead Nigeria Because We Have Majority Of The Votes___Northern Elder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Coastal News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has vowed that the north will continue leading Nigeria, arguing that the region has the majority to produce a leader through the ballot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the 2023 presidential polls in view, leaders and politicians of southern extraction have been clamoring for a shift in power, arguing that the region must provide the nation\u2019s next leader.
But NEF, in its most recent submission on the nation\u2019s polity, rejected the push to have Nigeria\u2019s next president come from the southern region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before. Whether we are president or vice president or whatever, we will lead Nigeria,\u201d NEF spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said on Sunday at a lecture in memory of the late Maitama Sule in Zaria Kaduna State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to him, NEF will not allow the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the southern part of the country, insisting that the position is a democratic office that will be determined by the majority.
He maintained that there is nothing wrong if the north produces the next president after Muhammadu Buhari, adding that this is possible not because the north is superior to others, but because the rules of politics avail the region a great opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NEF spokesman stressed that the north will never be cowed into submission, nor forced to give up in the quest to retain power in 2023 considering its huge human population that gives the region an advantage over others.
While stating that the future of the north is not for sale, Baba-Ahmed also maintained that the region will not be threatened, intimidated or blackmailed into giving up its right to a democratic office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the region should not be compelled to give up a democratically elected office that can be sought by any person irrespective of where he or she comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NEF spokesman further reminded those calling for power rotation to bury such thoughts, saying Nigeria is running a democratic government, whereby decisions over where the next president comes from are basically decisions that will be made by voters who will elect the leaders of their choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While addressing those present, Baba-Ahmed said: \u201cThe vote says vote who you want. We have the majority of the votes. Why do we need to accept a second class position when we can fight and get a first class position. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy does anyone need to threaten us and cajole us and intimidate us? If you don\u2019t bring the presidency here, you will see, okay let\u2019s see, we are waiting to see.
\u201cBut when we get the power, in the name of God be humble because power comes from God\u201d.
\u201cIf they tell you the north must play second fiddle, say No! If the rule of the game says you should vote for the candidate of your choice, vote for the candidate of your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf they do not like the fact that it might be a northerner that will emerge as president, too bad. If we want to support a southerner, we will support a southerner because that will be in our own interest, rather than in somebody\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd we can decide for ourselves, we do not need anybody to tell us what to do,\u201d Baba-Ahmed added.
The NEF spokesman\u2019s comments came a few days after governors from the southern region of Nigeria declared their support to have the 2023 presidency zoned to their region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rising from a meeting in Enugu, Chairman of the Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the leaders have resolved that the next president of Nigeria must come from the southern part in line with politics of equity, justice, and fairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: G9ija.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Coastal News The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has vowed that the north will continue leading…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[23],"class_list":["post-510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-2023-presidency"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210920-163458_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=990%2C515&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":579,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2021\/09\/29\/pope-francis-tells-president-buhari-to-stop-killings-in-nigeria\/","url_meta":{"origin":510,"position":0},"title":"Pope Francis Tells President Buhari To Stop Killings In Nigeria","author":"Coastal Times","date":"September 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News Pope Francis. Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to find ways to stop the killing of Nigerians across the country. Lamenting what he described as the senseless killings of Nigerians by suspected jihadists, the Pope called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Crime"","block_context":{"text":"Crime","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/crime\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210929-214212_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=854%2C670&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210929-214212_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=854%2C670&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210929-214212_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=854%2C670&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210929-214212_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=854%2C670&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1725,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2022\/03\/16\/just-in-i-will-step-into-buharis-shoes-as-next-president-of-nigeria-___tinubu\/","url_meta":{"origin":510,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: “I Will Step Into Buhari\u2019s Shoes As Next President Of Nigeria” ___Tinubu","author":"Coastal Times","date":"March 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has promised not to stomp on President Muhammadu Buhari's toes, but rather to fill his shoes as Nigeria's next president in 2023.Tinubu also encouraged the party's Senate Caucus to back his lifetime\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/screenshot_20220316-165502_google.jpg?fit=497%2C283&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":852,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2021\/10\/19\/dr-gimba-hassan-urges-nigerians-to-look-towards-north-east-in-2023-presidency\/","url_meta":{"origin":510,"position":2},"title":"Dr Gimba Hassan Urges Nigerians To Look Towards North East In 2023 Presidency","author":"Coastal Times","date":"October 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News Dr. Gimba Hassan If I were to be as sentimental as people are, I would say the North East, my zone, must produce the president in 2023. Many people fight for their people, region, zone or state to produce the president for various reasons. 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A national daily had, last weekend, published an interview with elder statesman and chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, stating\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0832-2-1.jpg?fit=971%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0832-2-1.jpg?fit=971%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0832-2-1.jpg?fit=971%2C569&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0832-2-1.jpg?fit=971%2C569&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4895,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/16\/ipf-commends-tompolos-commitment-to-security-in-delta-nigeria\/","url_meta":{"origin":510,"position":4},"title":"IPF Commends Tompolo’s Commitment To Security In Delta, Nigeria","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF) has commended High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his remarkable commitment to improving security in Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. In a press statement by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the IPF described Tompolo's gesture\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3889.jpg?fit=1012%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3889.jpg?fit=1012%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3889.jpg?fit=1012%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3889.jpg?fit=1012%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3338,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/12\/13\/otuaro-hails-tinubus-effective-leadership-at-nigeria-south-africa-commission-meeting\/","url_meta":{"origin":510,"position":5},"title":"Otuaro Hails Tinubu’s Effective Leadership At Nigeria-South Africa Commission Meeting","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has commended President Bola Tinubu for providing competent leadership at the just-concluded 11th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission hosted in Cape Town, South Africa. Otuaro noted that Tinubu's leadership provided clear directions for the active\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-8e","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=510"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}