2023: Zoning immaterial in APC - Gov Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said the zoning of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket to the North or South ahead of the 2023 general election is irrelevant.

The governor said the focus should be on competence rather than ethno-religious considerations in determining the next president of the country.

Bello, a northern politician is seeking the APC’s presidential ticket to contest the 2023 presidency amidst zoning controversy in the party.

Speaking when he received a team of ex-Nigerian internationals led by a former Super Eagles player and ex-Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, on Saturday in Abuja, Bello expressed optimism that the party would throw up leaders that would fix Nigeria in the next election.

“I don’t know the position that God has designed for me after governorship, but I pray that I should be able to bequeath and hand over to a younger one who will outperform and outshine me.

“By the special grace of God, I can assure you that come 2023, our party under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari will provide the next generation of leaders who will fix this country. There will be Judases. No doubt about it.

“Both North and South do not know boundaries when it comes to football and other sports. So, we are appealing to Nigerians to look beyond religion and ethnicity. For once, let us get one person who will fix this country, irrespective of where he comes from and then the rest shall follow,” he said.