Akeredolu also said the resolution of the 11 Northern APC Governors was geared towards the attainment of nationhood for the country
By Mosope Michaels
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has praised his Jigawa counterpart, Abubakar Badaru for withdrawing from the All Progressives Congress(APC) primary as a presidential aspirant.
The governor stepped down from the race shortly before the convention, leaving only two candidates of northern extraction in the race.
Ten governors and a former governor from the north later applauded the Jigawa governor’s decision and backed the return of the presidency to the southern part of Nigeria.
However, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State, and Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello are yet to withdraw from the race, despite the resolution of the northern governors and elders.
Akeredolu, who is chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, while reacting to the decision of the northern APC governors and that of
Badaru via a press statement said the news of the development was received with “utmost joy”
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He went on to commend the Jigawa governor for his patriotism and added that the resolution of the 11 Northern APC Governors was geared toward the attainment of nationhood for the country.
“We did not expect anything short of this heart-warming decision from our colleagues, great patriots, and reliable partners in the collaborative efforts geared towards the attainment of nationhood for our dear country,” he said in a statement issued on behalf of the southern governors.
“This is indeed another landmark achievement in our quest for understanding, rapprochement, and continual engagements for mutual beneficence.
He added, “We acknowledge this courageous stance for equity and moral rectitude. We applaud the zeal and determination of our brothers to engage realistically and honestly. We salute this uncommon resolve to confront issues militating against the march towards nationhood and ultimate greatness.
“By this gesture, we are convinced of the seriousness of our colleagues to join other patriots in ensuring that the ascendant march towards stability, progress, and prosperity is not truncated by indiscretion.
“We congratulate our brother Governor, Abubakar Badaru, for his exemplary conduct. Posterity will remember him for good. We thank the leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at this crucial moment.
“We look forward to conducting a hitch-free convention which will culminate in the election of a suitable candidate who will hoist the flag of the party with a sense of mission.”