Nigerian politics and democracy now share power. “Zoning” was first proposed by the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, in the Second Republic to give Nigerians a sense of belonging in their government. The NPN introduced Christian/Muslim presidential tickets. They valued balance.
Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the late Vice President, presented the NPN doctrine to the 1994–1996 National Constitutional Convention, NCC, appointed by General Sani Abacha. During heated arguments, the Conference could not agree on Ekwueme’s rotation and zoning concepts because Northern delegates believed they would be utilised to overthrow the North.
Abacha’s PRC resolved the issue. They endorsed the North-South presidency rotation. They also supported Ekwueme’s six geopolitical zones as a basis for office distribution, although they did not include them in the proposed constitution as ruling prefectures. Clause 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution codified Federal Character under General Abdulsalami Abubakar. They applied the theory to federal bureaucracies to foster a national identity.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which took power from the military in 1999, completely executed the North/South rotation of the Presidency and the sharing of main political posts among the six geopolitical zones throughout its 16 years in power, including all regions of the country.
After the APC gained the Presidency in 2015, things changed. Muhammadu Buhari, who had vowed to be for everyone, eventually switched to favouring only the areas who voted for him, which he did through excessive nepotism. The power-sharing formula excluded the South-East, which only voted for him in some of his presidential campaigns. The South-West, which handed Buhari the Presidency, got the Vice President and House Speaker.
South-Easterners whose youth supported separatist organisations like IPOB felt alienated when Buhari belligerently deployed the armed forces, police, and security agencies in their territory, turning it into a violent and insecure zone.
President Bola Tinubu’s new government must learn from Buhari’s mistake and treat all Nigerians equally. If he wants a calm, harmonious rule, he must avoid the winner-takes-all mentality of myopic politicians like Buhari and include everyone, regardless of their vote. If we desire peace and tranquilly in Nigeria, we must never deny Nigerians their voting rights.
The President and his party made a mistake. South-East received House Deputy Speaker in 2011. Nothing in 2015. South-East again for APC Deputy Speaker. 12 years of relegation. If Tinubu and APC implement their zoning plan, the South-East could be out for another eight years, totalling 20 years on the periphery. By then, Nigerian politics would have ignored the zone.
When the South-West and South-South were favoured, the South-chance East’s to produce the President in 2023 was snubbed; thus, giving it Deputy Speaker would be a slap in the face. No healthy society permanently excludes any of its parts.
Tinubu and the APC should back the South-East for Senate Presidency. These offices do not benefit the public, nevertheless. Five South-East Senate Presidents served from 1999 to 2007. The South East voted for PDP from 1999 to 2019. They got what? This logic is irrelevant. Fair representation fosters national identity. Perception matters.
The Senate Presidency should be designated to the South-East and given to someone with dignity, probity, and respect.
South-East applicants are qualified. Senator-elect Dave Umahi is one. He was a presidential bootlicker and autocratic governor of Ebonyi State. He’ll be Ahmed Lawan’s equal. Senator Osita Izunaso is another candidate (Imo West). Senator Izunaso ranks high. He defeated the late Arthur Nzeribe, who had dominated the Senate for nearly 30 years.
Izunaso’s main evidence is that he was the Senate Committee on Gas Chairman from 2007 to 2011 without a graft case. We need this material to lead the 10th National Assembly.
Make 10th Senate President Osita Izunaso.
