Abuja — Ahead of the 2015 elections, their are indications that northern leaders of the Christian faith have expressed their preference for the emergence of a presidential candidate from the geopolitical zone who is of their religious belief.

Among those contemplating fielding a northern Christian presidential candidate, THISDAY learnt Thursday, are former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.

It was gathered that the group would prefer a Christian as a presidential candidate as part of the larger agenda of the north to ensure that the presidency returns to the zone in 2015. As such, they are considering establishing a working relationship with any of the major political parties that will zone its presidential slot to the Middle Belt, which comprises states in the North-central and a part of the North-east.

The north has been agitating for the return of power to the zone on the basis that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who took over from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, did not complete the constitutionally sanctioned two-term tenure as he died in office midway into his first term in the saddle.

Abuja — Ahead of the 2015 elections, their are indications that northern leaders of the Christian faith have expressed their preference for the emergence of a presidential candidate from the geopolitical zone who is of their religious belief.

Among those contemplating fielding a northern Christian presidential candidate, THISDAY learnt Thursday, are former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.

It was gathered that the group would prefer a Christian as a presidential candidate as part of the larger agenda of the north to ensure that the presidency returns to the zone in 2015. As such, they are considering establishing a working relationship with any of the major political parties that will zone its presidential slot to the Middle Belt, which comprises states in the North-central and a part of the North-east.

The north has been agitating for the return of power to the zone on the basis that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who took over from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, did not complete the constitutionally sanctioned two-term tenure as he died in office midway into his first term in the saddle.

The agitation for power shift is believed to be one of the crucial factors fuelling the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially against the backdrop of the swirling rumours doing the rounds that President Goodluck Jonathan intends to seek a second term in office.

However, the president has neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, saying he would prefer to speak out on his political future in 2014.

THISDAY gathered that the northern Christian leaders believe that under the circumstances, instead of being the “pawn or kingmakers in the Nigeria’s political chessboard”, they should provide the king.

Sources said Gowon, Danjuma and others in the group are contending that with Christians being in the majority in Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Taraba and parts of Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Kebbi and Nasarawa States, this would be a propitious time for them to make a bid for the presidency based on their population.

It was gathered that the Middle Belt states are open to any of the political parties that would offer the presidency to the Middle Belt whose people are predominantly Christians.

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2015: Gowon, Danjama and others prefer Northern christian minority candidate -Thisday