Yahaya Bello: APC Never Zoned 2023 Presidency

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has debunked reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had a zoning arrangement ahead of the 2023 election.

Recall that there have been growing calls for the APC to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria.

Among those clamouring for the presidency to go to the south is Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State who said there was an agreement that the presidency should be zoned to the South after the eight-year rule of the North.

He also stressed that although the agreement was not enshrined in the party’s constitution, politicians are aware of it.

But speaking to newsmen in Abuja weekend, Yahaya Bello said there is no zoning arrangement in the APC.

He said: “There is nothing like zoning in our party. In 2015, there was no zoning; many aspirants, including former governor Rochas Okorocha contested. In 2019, there was no zoning; people in APC were not courageous enough to contest with President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Asked if he is interested in the 2023 presidency, Bello said: “Even if I say I’m going to contest for presidency in 2023, my response is this: It is the will of God I became governor today, and I am in my second term going. If it’s the will of God for me to become president in this country at the right time, I will be.”

The Kogi governor, however, maintained that he would defeat any candidate of he decides to contest for the 2023 presidency.

“I will record a vote that has never been recorded in Nigeria by the grace of God. But that’s not the issue right now; the issue is there must be Nigeria before we talk of 2023,” he added.