Governors of the 17 southern states have insisted that the next president of the country must come from the region.

This decision (if it comes to fruition) would effectively end the ambition of some top politicians from the north who are believed to be eyeing the 2023 presidency, Daily Trust has reported.

According to reports, the governors had in a communiqué said: “The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between southern and northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the southern region.”

Here is a list of some key politicians in the North that have shown interest in contesting the 2023 presidential election.

They have indicated their interest directly or by proxy.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar

Former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso

Governor Yahaya Bello

Governor Aminu Tambuwal

Governor Bala Mohammed

Former governor Ahmed Sani Yarima.

Meanwhile, the SGF agreed that the successor of the President Muhammadu Buhari should come from the southern region. It was reported that this was part of the decisions the governors reached at their meeting on Monday, July 5, in Lagos.

The governors also deliberated on insecurity, constitutional amendment, PIB and anti-open grazing law in all member-states.