Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, on Wednesday, said some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are looking at picking a northern candidate for the 2023 presidential election following the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard bearer on Saturday.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Aliyu, however, said that President Muhammadu Buhari is not looking in that direction but is looking for a candidate who will be accepted by all Nigerians.

Aliyu was responding to the question on whether Atiku’s victory is forcing the ruling APC to search the northern region for its flagbearer.

He said that some APC leaders were considering shopping for a credible Northerner as its candidate for the 2023 general polls.

But insisted that Buhari, being the APC leader, is looking for a credible Nigerian candidate.

He added, “The President, who is the leader of the party, is looking for a Nigerian candidate. I am one of those that are looking for a Nigerian candidate.

“I have no sentiment for North or South. I am looking for a candidate that can beat Atiku Abubakar at the polls wherever he might be from. I am sure our party is going to do the right thing.”