Abuja — Northern Political Leaders' Forum led by Adamu Ciroma met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives for three hours in a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly yesterday seeking his nod for presidential power to be retained in the North for another four years.

The leader of the Forum, Mr. Ciroma told newsmens after the meeting that, "We are happy with the outcome".

In an address from the group to the Speaker, which was made available to Vanguard, they warned that the North would never be part of future agreements between zones if the zoning agreement was jettisoned by the zones.

"We also urge you to do everything within your powers to ensure the unity of the North on this issue if Nigerians are going to abandon zoning, it must be clear that it is a national concensus by a people who believe that zoning no longer serves their interests.

"We should not abandon zoning just to accede to the selfish desires of a few political opportunists who are willing to sacrifice the interests of the Country, including its unity, peace and stability for their short-term selfish gain.