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Atiku May Be Declared President, As Ghost of 2019 Election Resurrects

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 Presidential  bid has suffered a hit recently but the former vice president  could get lucky if the events playing out at the Court of Appeal in Abuja is anything to rely on. Last week,  the court fixed the judgment for a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Civil Society Observatory for Constitutional and Legal Compliance, CSOCLC, a civil sociery body, CSOs seeking to remove President Muhmmadu Buhari as President  and  Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for May 18 this year. The CSO is asking the court  to upturn the  victory of President Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.

The body is claiming that the school certificates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC for the election were not in order.

The former vice president has lost his quest to upturn Buhari’s  victory as the highest court in the country,  the Supreme Court has affirmed the incumbent as the winner of the election. But close watchers of events in the country insist that, Atiku whose presidential ambition  in 2023 has not gained so much popularity  due to his age, now has a chance to become president due to the ongoing case.

The question is whether the Court of Appeal would cancel President Buhari’s victory.

The incorporated Trustees of the Civil Society Observatory for Constitutional and Legal Compliance, CSOCLC had after the 2019 electio filed an appeal seeking the sacking of Buhari for alleged false affidavit in the 2019 general elections. In his stead, the organisation  said Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP should be declared president as the presidential candidate with the second highest number of votes.

The CSO, claimed in the suit that “ all his (Buhari) academic qualification documents as filled in his Presidential Form, President APC/001/2015 are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as at the time of the affidavit is false.”

The civil rights body also said, “there was no any organ, institution, agency, department or authority known as and called the ‘Military Board’ existing in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as at the 24th day of November 2014, when the 3rd defendant, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR deposed to an affidavit sworn to at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.”

The CSO is asking the court to order the Independent  National Electoral Electoral, INEC “to issue a new certificate of return in respect of the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), being the candidate who came second in the 2019 general elections to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

But the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and President  Buhari had in their response to the suit,  asked the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal seeking to nullify his election and swear in Atiku in his place.

Their argument is that the apex court has already settled the matter in favour of President  Buhari.

Even though many insists that the chance of Atiku being declared president by the court is very slim, they also noted that nothing is impossible since the Court of Appeal will decide the matter based on the facts of the case and in line with the constitution.

“The heaven will not fall if the highest court in the country nullifies Buhari’s  election. It will only show that the judiciary is unbias and is ready to protect the nation’s  hard earned democracy. If that happens it will only send a signal to politicians that something built on nothing cannot stand, and the court as the bastion of the Constitution will not validate illegality,” Muyi Joseph, a public analyst in Lagos told the magazine on Monday.

If Atiku is declared president it will serve as an impetus for his presidential  ambition which has recently suffered a hit after some political enthisiasts said he’s too old to be president of the country. The former vice president  is above 70 and the feeling in the county is that politicians in the age category should step down from the race to allow young people take over.

Indeed, the presidential  bid of Atiku has also suffered a hit following the decision of some of his supporters to abandon him. Recently, a former aide and former commissioner of information  in Edo State,  Hakeem Afegbua told Atiku to shelve his presidential quest because the office is not his personal property. Afegbua  who was the spokesmen of Atiku Presidential  Campaign in 2019 said the former vice president  has become a serial contestant. He should give room for fresh candidates, Afegbua a member of the PDP said.

Apart from this, analyst contend that PDP governors are not in support of Atiku’s presidential ambition. Governor Bala Mohammed  of Bauchi State, a close ally of Atiku recently told the former vice president  to stand down from the race due to age factor.

The situation has even become very precarious for Atiku considering that the mood in the country is that the presidency should be zoned to the south based on the unwritten zonal arrangement  for the country’s highest office.

ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike Action, Begins Nationwide Strike Today

By
Akinwale Kasali
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ASUU

By Akinwale Kasali

After Two days of deliberation at the University of Lagos, UNILAG,  the National Executive Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has decided to embark on an indefinite strike. This follows the failure of the Minister for Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to meet their demands.

The ASUU nationwide strike commenced today, 14th February, 2022.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU’s President, on Sunday, said that the strike was against their wish but they had to put the interest of the Union first.

He said, ” I announce to you with a heavy heart the commencement of a nationwide strike starting from 14th February till our needs are met.”

The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021 given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.

The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the Union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action.

It would be recalled that after the Union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14,  Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public Universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system payment, none of its demands had been met.

It also lamented the neglect faced by ASUU under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, stressing that Ngige has been a clog in the wheel, prompting ASUU to embark on the indefinite strike.

Oyo: New Olubadan Set To Take Office After Initial Hiccups

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Dr Lekan Balogun

By James Orji

The new Olubadan of Ibadan land, Lekan Balogun will officially take office today as the traditional ruler of the metropolitan city. Govrnor SeyI Makinde of Oyo State stated this at the weekend after the burial ceremony of late Olubadan Oba Soliu Akanmu Adetunji.

The governor said the official announcement of Balogun, a former senator as Olubadan has put paid to initial squabble on who among the high chiefs should succeed the late traditional ruler who joined his ancestors last month.

Balogun was among the coronet chiefs that dragged the state government to court over their status as traditional rulers in the state, after the state government  withdrew their crowns in 2019. Some traditional and political leaders in the ancient city had insisted that  Balogun should not be Olubadan accusing him of culpability with former Governor Ajimobi in the plot to destroy the process of selecting the Olubadan.

Balogun, the first in line to the traditional stool, those that share this opinion said must not become Olubadan, rather former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, the second in line to the Olubadan was mostly preferred to emerge as next Olubadan.

The chiefs, who are all members of Olubadan in council were elevated as coronet chiefs by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2018. They recently would the case from court as a condition  set by the state govrnment to pave way for the new Olubadan to be appointed.

Speaking at the 40-day funeral reception for the immediate past Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the state governor said the announcement of a new Olubadan was necessitated by the passing of the former holder of the office.

The state helmsman said he has received a letter from the Olubadan-in-Council  in council to proceed with the announcement for Balogun to take office as the new Olubadan.

He said the manner in which the controversy sorrounding the choice of new Olubadan  was handled is a strong message to the world that the succession process for the Olubadan can not be distorted, the state governor  said , adding that the Olubadan selection  process has become time tested and cannot be altered by any political interest.

According to Makinde, “I have received a letter from the Olubadan-in-Council. By the grace of God, I will announce the new Olubadan of Ibadan land on Monday.

“Today that we are organizing the 40-day remembrance of the immediate past Olubadan, we have already known the next king. Ibadan is not like other towns that it will take them more than seven years before they can have a king after the demise of one. Ibadan traditional system is one that everyone is looking up to emulate,” Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor said in a statement.

Governor  Makinde added that the selection of the new Olubadan is an  indication that the state remains a pacesetter among the commity of states in the country.

“This is another victory for Ibadan traditional institution. The process and the system were never broken. So there is nothing to fix. So, I can say that we have now returned to our normal way of installing a new monarch in Ibadanland. Now, it is a system that everyone wants to imitate, which shows how we set the pace in Oyo State.

“When the person who came to represent the Chief of Imam was praying, he appealed that we should take care of all Baba left before he joined his ancestors. And I want to believe that we all know that I, Seyi Makinde, am one of those Baba cherished. Therefore, don’t leave me. Continue to pray for my administration,” he said.

Anambra: Soludo Calls For Application From Those Wishing To Serve In His Government

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

Governor-elect of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, has called for applications expressing interest from those wishing to serve under his administration.

A statement by his 80-man Transution Committee members, signed by its Executive Director on behalf of the Chairperson, called “for expression of interest: Anambra State Political Appointments.”

Soludo’s approach is far from the norm. People don’t usually apply for political appointments.  They are just  appointed, mostly on recommendations by political  godfathers and political parties. But Soludo is bent on being different.

When the mode was initially made public, not a few people thought that he was playing to the gallery. But he has followed it up by advertising for expression of interest.

Some people believe that not many people will apply since it is also said that applicants will go through a written test and oral interview. Said a source who spoke to this medium: “Who wants to take an examination and fail and be ridiculed?”

It is believed that Soludo opted for this method to completely get every pressure off him. Nobody will approach him with anybody’s curriculum vitae.

Some people insist he has already chosen those to work with. They, however, agree that having made this public, he is prepared to work with only the best, and would take absolute responsibility for any below-performance in his administration.

The application is open only to the indigenes of the State, and will close on February 28, 2022.

Following is the full text of the call for expression of interest as put out.

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: ANAMBRA STATE POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS

“The Anambra State Governorship election was successfully conducted in November 2021 and a new administration will assume office on the 17th March 2022.

“A Transition Committee mandated to ensure a seamless transition will among other things; produce an Anambra State Human Resource Databank, which the Governor-Elect will use as a Human Resources tool for recruiting a talented team and volunteers.

“As stated in his Manifesto and repeated during his election campaigns, the Governor-Elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has committed to giving everyone who has requisite competencies, capabilities, and relevant valuable contributions to make toward the good governance of Anambra State an opportunity to do so.

“Therefore, to enable an accessible, open, credible, and competitive process, the Governor-Elect has approved the launch of the online system to collect information on available competencies, experiences, and interests through a platform www.anambratalent.ng.

“This platform is designed for indigenes of Anambra to “Express Interest” in volunteering or seeking a political appointment or career in paid public service positions. This Human Resources tool offers a transparent and level playing field for talent search and team selection processes consistent with the vision of the Governor-Elect.

“We are delighted to publish this widely anticipated announcement of the public call for Expression of Interest from individuals who are interested in serving the people of Anambra State.

“We hope to attract problem-solvers with passion, competence, capacity, and integrity who are interested in joining a team of other selfless public servants to build a livable and prosperous state.

“The positions available range from advisory services, technical assistance, executive positions as commissioners and heads of departments and agencies, membership of commissions and boards of parastatals and agencies; local government administration; etc. (please refer to the current list of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of Anambra State, as well as the Manifesto of the Governor-Elect).

“Please write and upload a Value Proposition that shows what problem(s) you would like to solve for Anambra, how you intend to do so, and what makes you the fit and proper person to do so on www.anambratalent.ng or send it to [email protected] no later than February 28, 2022.

 

“SIGNED:

Executive Director

Transition Committee

On behalf of Chairperson, Transition Committee”

Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, won the Governorship election on November 6, 2021, in a landslide under the banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.He will take over from the incumbent Governor Willie Obiano in March, 2022.

2023: What Role For Governor Zulum?

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

In the past couple of weeks, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has been trending.

Aside from his now frequent  update on the security situation in his very embattled State, trying to paint a  fair picture of it, speculations have been rife that, whichever way his Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, zones its Presidential ticket against 2023, Zulum could be on the cards.

The Professor has been having good reviews in the Media. Both his former boss  – his predecessor in office-  Senator Ibrahim Kashim Shettima, and the Presidency, have singled him out in the past one week for praises.

Senator Shettima described him as incorruptible. He said when he appointed Zulum as one of his Commissioners, he had no doubt in his mind that he had found a successor who would work selflessly for the people.

He said Zulum handled, and allocated thousands of houses to people without allocating anyone to himself, even when he had no house of his own.

Shettima said he thought it was not true, until he visited Zulum and found out he was living in his father’s house.

Shettima said when he told Zulum he would be his(Shettima’s) successor, Zulum turned it down, on the grounds that he had no money to prosecute the project.

So, said Shettima: “I purchased the form for him, and I funded his election.”

More good testimonials followed a few days after, this time from the Presidency.

In an article titled “Zulum Zooms In”, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, devoted his weekly outing to  Zulum. After reeling out the Governor’s many praise-worthy achievements  in office, Adesina informed Nigerians that they would hear more of Zulum in the coming weeks and months.

Was that a hint that something bigger would come Zulum’s way soon?

Was that a confirmation of the speculations that Zulum  would play a prominent role in 2023? Not a few people think so.

They think Zulum, perhaps, is being prepared either for the office of the President or the Vice President. Probably  the later, especially given what Shettima said of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a frontline Presidential aspirant under the APC.

Just two days ago, Shettima endorsed Tinubu, asking the North to reciprocate what Tinubu did for the Zone. It is pay back time to Tinubu, Shettima urged the North.

But here is the slack.

If Tinubu gets the APC ticket, it will not be quite possible for Zulum to be his running mate. Both are of the Islamic faith. The Nigeria of today is not the Nigeria of 1993 when both Chief MKO Abiola, a Muslim,  the presumed winner of the canceled election,  had  Babagana Kingibe, another Muslim as his running mate.

So what gives?

Political analysts are of the opinion that if the Buhari Presidency is so sold on Zulum as a Vice Presidential candidate, then a Christian candidate will be the Presidential candidate.

This medium gathers that Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Transportation Minister, Rotimi Chibuke Amaechi, and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi are on the cards for consideration.

For now, like Adesina said, a lot of eyes are focused on Professor Zulum. Born in 1969, age is certainly on his side.

Jonathan Mourns Magajin Garin Sokoto, Danbaba

By
The Source
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0

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed sadness over the passing of Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba who died on Saturday after a brief illness.

In a condolence message to the Sultan of Sokoto, the Government and people of Sokoto State, Dr. Jonathan described the late Danbaba as a distinguished leader and traditional ruler whose peaceful disposition endeared him to many people across the country.

The former President stated: “I am saddened by the sudden exit of Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, the Magajin Garin Sokoto. He was a distinguished traditional ruler, charismatic leader and bridge builder who was unflinching in his constant engagement with both traditional and political leaders across the country, towards fostering national unity.

“He will be sadly missed not only by the people of Sokoto but by all who related with him because of his peaceful disposition and love for humanity.

“May Allah forgive all his shortcomings and grant him al Jannah Firdaus.”

Danbaba, a grandson of the Late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sarduana of Sokoto, slumped in his hotel room in Kaduna on  Saturday, February 12, 2022, and died.

Until his death, he was the Head of Sokoto Kingmakers.

Truckers Protest: Nigeria Accuses Canada Of Double Standards

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Alhaji Lai Mohammed

By Uche Mbah

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has accused the Canadian Government and Social Media Giant, Twitter, of double standards over the Truckers protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Canada.

Truckers have occupied major cities of Canada protesting against mandatory vaccines and face masks, vowing to occupy the Government House and Parliament until their demands are met. The Canadian Prime Minister had relocated to an unknown location.

Recall that during the #EndSARS protest against police brutality and alleged bad Governance in 2019, the Canadian Government condemned, in strong terms, the actions taken by the Nigerian Government to contain it.

The Canadian government had tweeted, using their verified twitter handle, @CanadaFP:“Canada is deeply concerned about the excessive use of force during the ongoing protests in #Nigeria. Those responsible for #HumanRights violations and abuse must be held accountable.”

Mohammed now accuses Twitter and the West of double standards citing the way they are handling their own crisis.

During a news briefing Sunday, the Minister said  that the Canadian protesters, “who have blockaded roads and resorted to inconveniencing others, have been branded as terrorists or insurrectionists and subjected to a number of clampdown by Government and Private Organisations.”

According to him, the crowdfunding company GoFundMe has closed down the campaign to raise funds for the truckers, even after raising over $10 million.

He did not add that the GoFundMe later rescinded their decision.

He also said that Twitter has suspended the truckers account just as the Ontario State Government froze access to millions donated through an online fundraising platform GiveSendGo meant for the protesters.

“Jim Watson, the Mayor of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, has also declared a State of Emergency in the city in response, saying the protests posed a threat to residents’ safety,” he said.

“Recall, gentlemen, that during the EndSARS protest, which culminated in the blockage of public roads and massive destruction of Government and private property, Canada was one of the countries that spoke out in support of the protesters.

“Recall also that Twitter actively supported the #EndSARS protesters and even helped them to raise funds while GoFundMe was used to raise funds for the protests.

”Now both the Canadian Government and Twitter are now rushing to distance themselves from the protesters in Canada and even denying them the use of their platforms.

“This is similar to what played out during the January 6th 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol In Washington, D.C. where those involved are either still being investigated or have been charged to court. I don’t blame them. Nobody wants their country destroyed under the guise of protests.”

Although he denied gloating over the Canadian debacle, he claimed to be calling attention to their double standards .

“Don’t misunderstand this intervention. We are not gloating over the unfortunate development in Canada. But we are only calling attention to the double standards involved in the way protesters deemed to be violent are perceived in Nigeria and in the West.

“Those who referred to the hoodlums who destroyed public and private property in Nigeria under the guise of #EndSARS as peaceful protesters have tagged similar protesters in their own countries as insurrectionists and terrorists. This glaring double standard should not be lost on all Nigerians.

“We have always said that you must have a country before you can even enjoy the freedoms guaranteed by your country’s constitution. If there is no Nigeria, no one will be talking of freedom of expression or freedom of association and the likes.

“This realisation explains why every country goes the extra mile to protect and preserve itself. And this also explains why we have continued to insist on the regulation of social media to ensure responsible content. In this area, I can confidently say we are far ahead of most countries in the world, who have now realized that social media must be regulated in the interest of their own people.

“In this regard, our successful negotiation with Twitter to fashion out measures to ensure responsible use of that platform which, by the way, will also apply to other social media platforms, has made us a global trailblazer in efforts to prevent harmful content from social media platforms

“Gentlemen, we must not allow anyone to destroy our country under the guise of protest or unbridled freedoms. We all must put Nigeria first at all times,” he concluded.

Abuja: PDP Is President Buhari’s Landlord

By
The Source
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0
President Buhari
President Buhari

By Gideon Njoku

Muhammadu Buhari is the President of Nigeria, by which position he lives in Abuja, the Federal Capital, and appoints the Minister in charge. But he is a Tenant, and does have a Landlord.

Buhari’s residence and office are within the Abuja Municipal Council, AMAC.

In the Area Council Election held in Abuja on Saturday, February 12, 2022, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, made a strong statement. It gave the All Progressives Congress, APC, a bloody eye.

Of the six Area Councils in Abuja, the PDP won four of them, leaving two for the APC as consolation prize.

The icing on the cake for the PDP, is its victory over the APC in AMAC.

AMAC, unarguably, is not only the most cosmopolitan Council in the FCT, it houses   Nigeria’s State House where  the President lives and works. In sum President Buhari is PDP’s tenant.

PDP’s candidate, Christopher Zakka, defeated APC’s Murtala Karshi by a total vote of 19,302 to Karshi’s 13, 209 to clinch the Chairmanship seat. Out of the  12 Wards, which include the City Centre, the PDP won 10, leaving the APC with two.

The Area Councils won by the PDP are:

*Abaji.

*AMAC.

*Bwari.

*Kuje.

 

The APC won:

*Gwagwalada

*Kwali.

With the 2023 General Elections gradually approaching, many in the PDP are excited about the results, saying it is  harbinger of good things to come in the election year.

Ekiti Governorship: PDP Harps On Alleged APC Misrule

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Campaign Organization of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Governorship candidate in Ekiti State, has challenged the All Progressives Congress, (APC), to start using the achievements of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s Government to campaign.

The Bisi Kolawole Campaign Organization (BKCO) said insecurity, workers sack, infrastructural decay, among others,  are Fayemi’s achievements that will make Ekiti people use their votes to send APC out of power on June 18, 2022.

The APC candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, had boasted that Fayemi’s achievements will be used to win the Governorship election.

However, BKCO Spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, said on Sunday that “Fayemi’s achievements Oyebanji can build on are banditry that has turned most Ekiti roads to nightmares,  kidnappings, workers sack, bad roads (Akure to Ekiti, no road) and blanket looting of public funds.

“In Ekiti, under Fayemi and his APC government, even primary school teachers are not being spared by bandits, with teachers in the State having to contribute N500 each to pay ransom demanded by kidnappers of one of them recently.

“Just on Saturday, a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Edu Mayokun was kidnapped along Ikere – Igbara Odo road. Last week, more than 10 people were kidnapped at Ikole area of the State alone.

“In Ekiti under Fayemi and his APC, kidnappers have gone to the ridiculous level of collecting food items, cigarettes, alcohol drinks, etc as ransom.

“In December 2019, when Ekiti people were preparing for Christmas and New Year celebrations, over 1,000 workers of the State University were sacked and up till now, the court judgment directing their reinstatement is yet to be obeyed.

“Even when they said they were employing workers, it turned out to be scam as over 100 Ekiti indigenes, whose names had been released as those who were successful among the applicants in the November 2020,  Teaching Service Commission recruitment exercise did not get employment letters up till today, after they were made to pay a sum of N5,000 each for induction, handbook and others.

“Other achievements that the APC and its candidate will campaign with are the killing of innocent students of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), by trigger happy security aides of Fayemi’s wife, killings by political thugs, especially during the EndSars protest and the last year’s House of Assembly bye-election in Ekiti East Local Government.

“In September 2019, three students of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), were brutally murdered by security aides of Fayemi’s wife.

“It is alarming that the candidate of the APC in the June 18 governorship election, Biodun Oyebanji, is joyfully saying that he will continue with this legacy of killings, sacking of workers, kidnappings and infrastructural decay and we await what they will tell Ekiti people when they mount campaign podium.”

Afegbua To Atiku: Nigeria’s Constitution Is Very Clear On Zoning

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Kassim Afegbua

By Ayodele Oni

Embattled chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Edo state, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has reacted to claims by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, that zoning the Presidency is unconstitutional.

The Benin Prince maintained that zoning public offices, including the Presidency, is a constitutional requirement in Nigeria, contrary to counter claims made by some aspirants.

In a statement on Sunday, Afegbua pointed out that “Nigeria’s long upheld federal character principle, which is codified in its 1999 constitution and expressly recommends the political balancing of positions and appointments across the regions that make up the country, is the same as zoning.

“For selfish and egocentric reasons, I have read some aspirants talking about the absence of zoning in the Nigeria Constitution.

“In order to serve their selfish end and contest the 2023 presidential election against the run of play, they have resorted to making references to the 1999 constitution to support their weak argument against the zoning of political offices.

“It must be stated unequivocally that zoning means the same thing as Federal Character, which is expressly captured in the 1999 constitution.

“The federal character talks about the political balancing of positions and appointments, which is the same thing as zoning.

“Zoning means ‘divide into or assign to zones,’ positions and appointments whether by way of election or appointment.”

He reminded those Presidential aspirants that are not from the South to bury the dream as it will spell doom for PDP during next year’s election.

Afegbua had earlier advised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, against recontesting this time, describing, also, the aspiration by Alhaji Sule Lamido to be president in 2023 as dead on arrival.

“This is why a Sule Lamido, who benefited from zoning in 2019 by participating in the contest is trying to twist the logic and confuse the process by his recent declaration.

“Every Geopolitical zone has qualified Nigerians who are competent to assume Presidential office.

“In fact, with President Buhari’s dismal performance, using perceived competence to measure a would-be candidate or president, may no longer be apposite.

“President Buhari has lowered the bar of qualification to preside over Nigeria.

“Sule Lamido ought to be an advocate of justice, fairness and equity, being a man reputed for speaking out his mind, but his latest armtwisting approach would not augur well for the party.

“This is a rare opportunity for the PDP to right the wrongs and show leadership by example by insisting that the zoning formula or approach is well cultivated.

“You cannot have power reside in one zone of the country for 16 unbroken years in a country of diverse socio-political configurations and religious secularity.

“The right thing to do, given our plural status, is to give sense of belonging to all the nation-states within the nation to build cohesion and unity.”

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