Convention: Group Warns APC Members Not to Elect EFCC-Indicted Ex-governors as ChairmanYour support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. FCT, Abuja - The South-South Emerging Leaders' Forum (SELF) has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to elect some former governors and individuals in the race who have been indicted for some financial crimes by anti-corruption agencies. In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, January 19, the national coordinator of the group, Barrister Preye Wilson, warned that the ruling party does not need a national chairman that will be dragging in and out of the anti-corruption agencies' offices to explain their dealings in the past. Read also PDP governors highlight 6 reasons APC must exit power in 2023 Barrister Wilson said it is time for the ruling party to deviate from past experiences of electing a former governor as national chairman. The forum warned that if any of these allegedly indicted chairmanship aspirants is elected as a national chairman the party will be easily blackmailed by the opposition parties and other critics. PAY ATTENTION: Subscribe to Digital Talk newsletter to receive must-know business stories and succeed BIG! The south-south group urged the party delegates and leaders at all levels to consider Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, adding that his integrity, track records, firmness, and simplicity stands out among those parading themselves as chairmanship aspirants in APC. Part of the statement read: Read also 2023: Governor Wike hosts PDP governors over party's choice for presidential candidate Meanwhile, sources within the APC say the ruling party has decided on its zoning formula ahead of its national convention. According to the inside sources, the north-central zone will get the chairmanship slot while the southeast will produce the secretary. Read also 2023: We’re the kingmakers in Nigeria, say Northern Elders Forum The implications of the zoning formula are that three former governors - two from the northeast and one from the northwest interested in the position have been automatically edged out. In a related development, some progressive youth groups have thrown their weight behind Comrade Dada Olusegun to contest for the National Youth Leader of the party. The groups cited the political acumen and widespread influence of Comrade Olusegun over the years as a reason for their endorsement. They said their decision to wholeheartedly support Comrade Dada for the position was based on his wealth of experience in politics, and his acceptability among various APC youth groups. Source: Legit.ng Ahead of the national convention of the APC, members of the party have been warned to be wary of some aspirants According to a south-south group, the convention slated for February 26 in Abuja, should be a deviation from the past The group stated that a situation where the national chairmanship position is reserved for ex-governors should stop immediately Your support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. FCT, Abuja - Legit.ng Subscribe to Digital Talk newsletter to receive must-know business stories and succeed BIG! “For us in the South-South Emerging Leaders' Forum, we believe that the best way the ruling party can continue to discourage corruption as clearly stated in the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari is to elect a new national chairman that's free of EFCC or ICPC cases. “We also note that since the successful merger process produced the ruling APC former governors have had enough time. “From our father former governor of Osun state Chief Bisi Akande, who was succeeded by another former governor of Edo, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and later to another former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, we feel it is time to try a senator and a competent hand at that. “We, therefore, appeal to President Buhari, Senate President and Speaker, former and serving governors, and all the APC leaders at all levels to support the aspiration of Senator Mohammed Sani Musa from Niger state to emerge as the next national chairman of APC.”