Arewa Concerned Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (ACCSON) has called on political parties to give the South East a change to produce the next president in 2023.
The group made the call at a press conference addressed by its spokesman Comrade Abdulsalam Mohammed Kazeem in Kaduna on Monday.
Read Also: Kwara gov pledges regular training for workers, salutes understanding of labour unions
It said the South East is one of the only two regions that have not occupied either President or vice-President seat since 1999.
“For instance; between 1999 and 2007, it was South West and North East, and between 2007 to 2015 it was between North West, South South and North West while between 2015 till date it is between North West and South West!
“The South East for instance, are part and parcel of the Nigerian project from day one till date; and, they should be treated fairly just like other zones of the country. They too deserve to get what others have gotten, because they have paid their dues in terms of contributions and consolidation of Nigeria.
‘The region is being captured in all other sectors of the Nigerian economy based on federal character from 1999 till date, but are denied either of the two positions mentioned earlier.
“With the rotation of the presidency; we believe strongly that all these agitations for separation will stop not only in the south East but in other regions since the essence is to quench marginalization and promote unity, brotherhood and pan Nigerian sentiments.
“Consequently, we hereby urge all political parties to zone their presidential ticket to the South East for justice, equity and fairness.
“Further to the above, we hereby present a bridge builder to the entire youths of Northern extraction, as our candidate for 2023 presidency based on the following:
“Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim is an accomplished statesman, a legal professional, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly.
“He is a detribalized Nigerian who has good intentions for the Youths and our region.
“As a former Senate President, history has it that before his emergence as the President of the Senate, the Senate was a troubled institution. His emergence helped to bring to an end all forms of crisis rocking the senate. This was achieved because he introduced inclusiveness in all the activities of the red chamber
“As a Secretary to the Government of the Federation he helped the Jonathan administration to stabilize the administration and the Nigerian economy through numerous projects that are visible and useful to our region and the nation at large.
“As the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, he ensured there was a good relationship between the executive and the legislature. He has friends, colleagues and political associates across the 109 senatorial districts of the country.
“Senator Anyim should be our presidential candidate irrespective of party affiliations as history will judge our actions today.”
