Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos says a southerner instead of a northerner deserves to be Nigeria’s next president in 2023 as he submitted the expression of interest and nomination forms for his re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by the Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council (GAC), members of the state Executive Council, party executives, traditional rulers, APC chieftains, political associates and supporters, submitted the forms to the party officials at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

On the 2023 presidential election, the Lagos governor expressed his support for rotation of the presidency to the South, in line with the position of the Southern Governors Forum, that the South should produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

“I think that it is what is fair, justiciable and just. It is really about Nigeria but there are aspirations everywhere and there are so many eminently qualified people, but in the spirit of equity and fairness that we have in our country, I think it is just morally fair that it goes to the South,” Mr Sanwo-Olu explained. “South-West is showing serious interest in that space. So, we believe that our positions from those meetings are very valid.”

Commenting on Friday’s meeting of APC leaders in the South-West with presidential aspirants from the geopolitical zones, held at Lagos House Marina, he said the objective, which was about protecting the interest of the zone, was achieved.

“We cannot cross all the ‘t’s and dot the ‘i’s just in one sitting, but it was a good start for us and we were sincere with ourselves and we hope that in future engagements, all the expectations that we have in our region will come to pass,” Mr Sanwo-Olu noted. 

He stated, after submitting the governorship forms, that with the support from the masses, he was confident of victory during the March 11, 2023, governorship election in Lagos.

According to him, his administration is committed to the delivery of real dividends of democracy in all aspects of the lives of Lagos residents.

“We know where we are as a nation, but Lagos continues to remain safe and secure. We have the highest foreign direct investments and it is because the environment is safe and secure,” said the governor. “It is because we have provided the platform for the organised private sector to thrive. Mind you, Lagos, during the pandemic period, was the epicentre for COVID-19.”

The governor also mentioned that Lagos residents were appreciative of his administration’s first four years and had given assurance and the confidence for him to push forward for a second term.

(NAN)