Lawan denies calling for power shift to south-west in 2023

Ahmed Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has denied advocating for a shift of power to the southwestern part of the country in 2023.

A statement had been credited to Mr Lawan calling for power shift to the south-west in honour of widely acclaimed winner of 1993 presidential elections, late Moshood Abiola.

In the reports published by some media outfits (not Qed.ng), Lawan was said to have advised President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) to take a step further by handing over the 2023 presidential ticket to the south-west.

“The president and indeed our party must beware of divisive elements who are now proponents of retaining power in the north beyond 2023.

“I have said it before and I believe that 2023 presidential ticket of the APC must go to the South-west. Since I made this comment last time, some members of my party have been hatching a plot to suspend me from the party but I am not moved and I will still hold my ground that power must go to the west,” the Senate President was quoted saying.

However, in a tweet on Monday, Lawan said those were the words of the Secretary of Adamawa State APC who also bears similar name (Ahmed Lawan).

“My attention has been drawn to a statement circulating on various media platforms credited to me as saying that power must shift to the South West in 2023. This is a misrepresentation of fact and identity.

“The statement is said to have been made by the Secretary of Adamawa State APC, Ahmed Lawan, who incidentally bears similar name with me. The public should please take note,” Lawan wrote.