Former Vice President, Alhaji Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and nine other northern political stalwarts have failed a screening conducted by the Northern Youth Leaders’ Forum (NYLF) to pick the region’s candidate for the 2019 presidential contest, according to the group’s Leader, Comrade Elliot Afiyo.

A Vanguard report quoted Comrade Afiyo as saying that Senator Bala Mohammed emerged as the preferred choice at the end of the screening exercise.

The report quoted the NYLF Leader as frowning at what he described as the ‘scheming’ and ‘manoeuvres’ in the country suggesting southern interest in the 2019 presidency. Comrade Afiyo reportedly said: “We want to reiterate and clearly warn that the North will not the presidency to move to the South in 2019.

“The experiences of 2011 and 2015 still remain fresh in our minds. To show our commitment towards this goal, the Northern Youth Leaders Forum has short-listed and screened candidates for the 2019 presidency.

“Those shortlisted and screened during our NEC meeting in Kano on April 16, 2017 are: Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Nasir El-rufai, Senator Bala Mohammed, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Senator Ali Modu- Sheriff, Governor Ibrahim Shettina, Governor Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari and Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

“Out of these 12 persons screened by our Political Committee, the following were short-listed and endorsed by the NEC during our meeting in Kaduna on May 17, 2017: Senator Bala Mohammed, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo. We sent the endorsed persons to our patrons and the leadership of the 42 affiliated organisations who screened and endorsed only two candidates who were considered during our meeting in June 2017 in Kano.

“Out of the two that were endorsed, that is, Senator Bala Mohammed and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bala Mohammed was finally endorsed and was also accepted by our patrons. We believe, and strongly too, that Senator Bala Mohammed is a detribalised Nigerian who does not attach sentiments of religion and ethnicity in his dealings with any citizen. He also has goodwill and acceptability both nationally and internationally. His credibility is unquestionable and his loyalty and interest of the North within the national interest is surely not in doubt…

“We want to send a message to all political parties that may field southern presidential candidates in 2019, that their actions are as good as committing political suicide. ‘’Our elders are also advised to steer clear of supporting any presidential candidate from the South in 2019 as we cannot afford to gamble with the presidency as we did in 2011. This is our stand point and there is no going back.”

•Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Update news