Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon
•Group wants parties to zone slot to Middle Belt
Ahead of the 2015 elections, their are indications that northern leaders of the Christian faith have expressed their preference for the emergence of a presidential candidate from the geopolitical zone who is of their religious belief. Among those contemplating fielding a northern Christian presidential candidate, THISDAY learnt Thursday, are former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.
It was gathered that the group would prefer a Christian as a presidential candidate as part of the larger agenda of the north to ensure that the presidency returns to the zone in 2015.
As such, they are considering establishing a working relationship with any of the major political parties that will zone its presidential slot to the Middle Belt, which comprises states in the North-central and a part of the North-east.
The north has been agitating for the return of power to the zone on the basis that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who took over from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, did not complete the constitutionally sanctioned two-term tenure as he died in office midway into his first term in the saddle.
