The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) is reportedly planning to meet with the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Middle Belt leaders, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Afenifere in Abuja with the aim of endorsing Atiku Abubakar. Vanguard reports that the information was revealed by a source close to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, PANDEF and the Middle Belt leaders had earlier agreed to support Ariku ahead of the election on February 16. It was learnt that the choice of Atiku could be hinged on his determination for restructuring as the source believes that President Muhammadu Buhari may not be optimistic enough.

The leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, PANDEF, NEF and the Middle Belt will meet on Sunday to deliberate on the issue. Atiku says he will restructure the country for the nation to move forward and he has the template. “We do not hate President Buhari, but he has not shown any enthusiasm to restructure the country. The north has realised that even after getting more local governments and states more than the southern part, things are not easy for their people. “They have also realised that despite the huge allocations they get from the states and local governments, the north is not developing because few people are cornering their resources. “We have all agreed to meet in Abuja to deliberate and know who to endorse. Ohanaeze had already done so. So, our own position is already known. We must restructure this country for the sake of the future generations to come. “President Buhari has not said anything about restructuring the country. Although he set up the el-Rufai committee on restructuring, he is not interested in the project. He has not said anything on restructuring unlike Atiku who is openly committed to it. Atiku has the template on how he will restructure Nigeria and that is why he has our support,” the source reportedly said