The Senator representing Kano Central District in the National Assembly, Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that Nigeria’s next president should come from the southern part of the country.
Mr Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State, stated this on Thursday while featuring on television programme monitored by The Punch.
According to him, although it is not written in the Constitution,”there is common sense expectation of balancing and giving everybody a sense of belonging and fairness.”
When asked about his position on the growing call for a South-East presidency in 2023, Shekarau said, “I don’t call it zoning, I would instead call it some balancing.
“There has to be some sense of belonging. There is what I call the constitution of common sense.
“The Constitution of Nigeria or the constitution of any of the political parties didn’t say if I am from the North, my running mate must be from the South.
“It is not written, but if today, I am a presidential candidate from Kano and I tell you my running mate is from Bauchi, you will say something is wrong with me.
“North has produced the president for eight years. Common sense tells that we should look the other side, to the southern part of Nigeria. We should recognise the North and the South; this is elementary geography and history.
“Perception is what you have to carry along. If you continue to dominate on one particular side, the perception from the other side is, ‘What about me?'”
When asked if he has the intention to run for president in 2023, the one-time presidential candidate said, “I don’t know about that. We haven’t gotten there yet,” but quickly added, “I am already giving it some thoughts.”
