The chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi has said the north will not support a candidate who seeks to benefit from strategies that exploit the ethnic and religious diversity of the zone.
Abdullahi stated this while speaking at a book launch on Thursday in Kaduna.
He said the zone will support leaders who will lead with integrity, competence, compassion and the fear of God.
According to him, the region has borne the brunt of religious and ethnic conflicts and has had enough.
“We will not support a candidate that fails to convince that he will radically improve the quality of governance and the integrity of leaders,” Abdullahi said.
“Secondly, northerners will not be intimidated into making choices that do not improve the chances of real changes in their current circumstances.
“We will participate in all political and electoral activities as equals, and concerning other Nigerians who respect us.
“In the north, we consider attempts to create divisions and conflicts around religion as hostile acts. We have paid a high price in conflicts around religion in the north and we do not need to do more.
“We bear scars from governance by one we substantially voted into power twice.
“Northern votes will make a major impact in the 2023 elections as well, but they will be cast by people who are now wiser and more discerning,” he added.