A coalition, Concerned Nigerian Citizens on Power Shift, has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone presidential tickets to the South.
It said power shift would bring equity after eight years of a northerner at the helm.
The coalition made the call at a briefing in Abuja by its convener, Femi Osabinu; Secretary-General Sidi Ali; and representatives from Northcentral, Okpanachi Jacob; Southwest, Femi Lawson; Northwest, Ibrahim Mohammed; Southeast, Uzoh Chukwuemeka, and Southsouth, Blessing Hossanah.
It said: “The North has had its fair share of leadership for the past seven years. It is time to zone the Presidency to the southern part of Nigeria.
“Since the return to civil rule in 1999, there has been an unwritten conventional way for power rotation between the North and South. It baffles us that as the debate intensifies, and party national conventions draw nearer, most political parties are planning to play down zoning with selfish excuses of population spread across the country.
“This decision doesn’t respect the unity of the country and might throw it into confusion. We have witnessed division along religious line ahead of 2023 elections.
“The security situation and supremacy of a region are affecting and shaking the unity bedrock of the nation.”
The coalition called on parties to respect zoning based on power rotation.