By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central,but in Minna)
A Coalition known as Unified Northern Nigeria Youth Forum (UNNYF) has declared their support for the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, as the next President of Nigeria in 2023.
This is coming on the heels of the call on Nigerians by the former Governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi to ensure they vote out the All Progressive Congress (APC) without which, he said, the country cannot move forward.
Speaking to newsmen in Minna, Niger state capital after their road walk, the Director General of the group, Dr Ibrahim Bature, said the CBN Governor is the best man to turn Nigeria's economy around.
While insisting on Igbo Presidency in 2023 for equity, fairness and justice, Bature said the CBN Governor has proven his worth and therefore wants the entire North and Nigerians in general to support him.
The group wants their fellow Northerners and Nigerians in general to rally round Emefiele, considering what they described as his policies that have rejuvenated the nation economy especially in agricultural sector which is now contributing tremendously to the GDP.
"As financial expert and seasoned economist, Emefiele, if elected, will replicate those impactful policies in other sectors of the economy for the betterment of the country.
"Emefiele is a Southerner with a large heart, compassion for the North and championed Northern Renaissance in his national economic policies hence the declaration of 100 percent support for him.
They argued that, "Recent Presidential intervention to take up all federal and state Government roads from the ministry of works and be completed by CBN, NNPC under the watch and financial back from CBN under the leadership of Emefiele".
In a related development, the former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, said only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can return Nigeria back to socioeconomic normalcy next year.
Obi who said he is in Minna on a private visit, lamented the economic stagnation and hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the President Buhari led APC government. Obi also told journalists that, though he is interested in contesting, he will willingly support whoever emerges PDP Presidential candidate 2023.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Correspondent however gathered that Obi's visit may not be unconnected with the crisis rocking the state PDP hence his intervention to broker peace.
The former governor was accompanied to Minna, Niger state by the former Governor of Niger state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu. NNL.
