Governor of Cross Rivers State, Ben Ayade, has reiterated the need for the next president of Nigeria to come from the southern zone of the country.
Ayade, who made the call while receiving Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Government House, Calabar said the idea of zoning was conceived to ensure an equitable sharing of power in the country.
According to him, “It should not be about ethnic or regional domination but balancing. It’s the turn of Southern Nigeria in 2023.”
The governor, who is also a presidential aspirant of the APC, said with the country’s resources, particularly in oil and gas deposits, “it is regrettable that the country is still importing petrol to meet its local demand.”
Describing Tinubu as a trans-generational leader and political strategist, Ayade said he has what it takes to be the next president of the country.
In his remarks, Tinubu noted that there was no collision in their desires, even as he promised to work with the state for the full development of Calabar Port if elected president.
“I appeal to you as your senior brother and the first to declare his intention, not to endorse me today but when you get to Abuja, you can endorse me fully.
“We must have that unity of purpose. We must work together not only for the unity and economic development of Cross Rivers, but also of the country. We owe that to the present and future generations.”
