- Former minister, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, has dabbled into the discussion over 2023 presidency - Shagari said competence and credibility must be the yardsticks for choosing President Muhammadu Buhari's successor - The former minister further stated that no law prevents Bola Tinubu, Aminu Tambuwal or Governor Nasir El-Rufai from eyeing Nigeria's power seat
Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, a former Nigerian minister, has frankly stated that the furore generated by power shift and zoning in the country is healthy but there is no law stopping prominent people from contesting for 2023 presidency. Shagari, who served as water resources under President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2001 and 2007, made this known while dabbling into the recent conversation generated over renewed interest in 2023 politics. It would be recalled that Mamman Daura, a nephew to President Muhammdu Buhari, recently caused outrage when he said Nigeria must look for competence rather than a regional interest in 2023 presidency.
Speaking with BBC in an interview, Daura said 2023 presidency should be prioritised on qualification and competence, not on tribe and regional interest.
Former minister, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, has dabbled into the discussion over 2023 presidency. Credit: Daily Sun. Source: UGC
According to him, whoever has to succeed his kinsman must be on what he has to offer for the country in terms of economy, security and socio-political development. Daura said Nigeria does not need a rotational presidency which he said has been done three times. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos state governor, Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai, minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi and a host of others have been identified as capable hands to succeed the president when his tenure ends. Reacting, Shagari said he believed no law disallowed prominent Nigerians like former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu and governor of Sokoto state Aminu Tambuwal from contesting the 2023 presidency if they desire. "Zoning in the first place is not a concessional matter; it is an arrangement and understanding by people to give the opportunity to each side of the country.
"As far as I’m concerned is competence and credibility and capability of the candidate that you pick, whether it is through zoning, or open for everybody, what should be the criteria are competence, credibility of the person, his capability and his love for Nigeria from where ever he may come from," the former minister said.