The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had stated that the North will not back a candidate who wants to profit from tactics that exploit the ethnic and religious diversity of the region prior to the 2023 presidential election.
Professor Ango Abdullahi, the chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), discussed the characteristics anticipated of a candidate the North will support in 2023 while speaking at a book launch in Kaduna.
“We would take part in all electoral and political processes on an equal basis with other Nigerians who appreciate us. In the north, we view efforts to sow discord and disputes over religion as hostile acts.
“We won’t back a candidate who can’t demonstrate how he’ll significantly raise the standard of government and uphold the integrity of those in power. Second, Northerners won’t be coerced into making decisions that don’t increase the likelihood that their existing situation will actually change.
“Neither as Christians nor Muslims, we can look to them for answers. I must say that we are currently seeing some of the crudest and least effective operations to polarize the Hausa and Fulani populations as well as to alienate Christians and Muslims in the North.
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