With the PDP having zoned its chairmanship ticket to the north leaving its presidential ticket open and with the same scenario likely to be replicated by the APC ahead of the 2023 general elections, there is apprehension that the two major parties may use the ‘lopsided zoning politics’ to drag the country into serious crisis, especially where it appears that the north is being given a seemingly preferential political treatment and advantage over the south.
Unfortunately, the first clear violation of the gentleman zoning arrangement occurred in 2011 when some elements in the then major opposition APC, which as at then was still Action Congress of Nigeria , collaborated with some northern elements in PDP to shortchange the Southwest zone, which was to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande. Instead, the speakership of the House of Representatives as at then was conceded to north.
In 2015, he argued to run for second term. Many northern power brokers both in the PDP and other platforms were said to have been opposed to the move. The development strengthened the formation of the APC, which also caused some powerful northern forces and others in the PDP to dissent, forming the nPDP to join the APC merger arrangement in 2014. That arrangement upstaged Jonathan and put an end to PDP’s 16 years in power.
Although, the Southern Governors Forum had been clamouring that the presidency should move to the south after the expiration of President Buhari’s tenure in 2023, observers are of the view that the PDP is also planning to introduce the same template to the political arrangements in country. “APC is already practicing it in the last one and half years whereby the chairman of the party and the president will come from the same zone.
According to him, “There is an old, enlightening principle laid down by the founding fathers of PDP since 1999 that six key positions must always be zoned to the six geo political constituents of our nation to ensure equity and orderly balance of power. The six key positions are the president, vice president, national chairman, senate president, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation .
According to him, “This is not the time for uncertainties and half measures. Our vision must be clear. Our goal must be certain. Our resolve must be sincere. We can only reclaim the centre in 2023 only if every section of this great nation is treated as co-equal and a significant partner in the national voyage. There is no other way. Zoning of all the six key offices will continue to ensure a strong and healthy democratic nation anchored on the fairness doctrine.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: GuardianNigeria - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »
Source: GuardianNigeria - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »
Source: GuardianNigeria - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »
Source: GuardianNigeria - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »
Source: GuardianNigeria - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »
Source: GuardianNigeria - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »