Northern youth organisations under the umbrella of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has warned the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to zone the presidency ahead of the 2023 polls.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP in Kaduna, AYCF president, Yerima Shettima, said the forum will mobilise against any political party that zones the presidency to any geopolitical zone.
AYCF, while describing zoning as undemocratic and unconstitutional, said all presidential aspirants must test their popularity at the party primaries and the general elections, adding that those canvassing for zoning are lazy politicians.
“We are saying this for politicians to hear, if APC zones President to any region, we will mobilise against the party. We will equally mobilise against PDP if the party zones its presidential ticket to any geopolitical zone. What we want is let Nigerians decide who to lead them in 2023.
“The presidential ticket must be thrown open for all and Nigerians should choose the best person that can move this country forward. Zoning is undemocratic and unconstitutional ” AYCF said.
Commenting on the alleged planned defection of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the APC for the presidential ticket, AYCF told Jonathan to be careful.
“It will be difficult for former President Goodluck Jonathan to make it under APC in 2023. Our advice is, let him be careful because we don’t see him getting the presidential ticket in the APC. How can those who laboured for APC receive him and work for him,” Shettima asked.