Former Presidential Spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe has stated that if the nation is to overcome the issue of insurgency which has miltated against its growth and development in recent years, it must ensure that it did not return elected a northern candidate as Presidency come 2023.
Dr. Doyin Okupe revealed this while responding to questions during an interview with newsmen in Abuja. When asked about his opinion about the fielding of a Northern Candidate by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the next presidential election in Nigeria, he stated that it would be in the best interest of all to ensure that the presidency is given to a Southerner.
According to him, ” If we are really serious and we want Nigeria to move forward and want to end insurgency, banditry and kidnapping of school children in the north, you cannot use a northern president. Because if it was possible, Buhari would have done it. If it was achievable, Buhari would have done it. And we do not have any aspirant, either in PDP or APC who has a stronger character than Buhari.”
In his words, “They are northerners. Give it any colouration, Fulani or not, they are northerners. So to confront them will be difficult for somebody who shares that ethnic or regional affinity with them.”
He also added that, It is only a well-celebrated servant politician who understands the terrain that can resolve this issue, with the support of the northerners. That is the truth. And that is the truth we must tell ourselves.