2023 Presidency: It’s Power Rotation Or Nothing – Southern, Middle Belt Leaders

• Dare political parties on zoning

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) says there will be no compromise on power rotation come 2023 with a stern warning to political parties to take heed and act appropriately in the country’s overall interest.

Clearly declaring that it is for power shift and nothing else, the SMBLF said any political party that refuses to zone its 2023 presidency to the south should ultimately be ready to lose its support base from the two axes.

Rising from its meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the Forum said; “The basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power.”

According to the meeting’s communique, the position is based on the need to foster fair and just distribution of power in the country given that the north would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023.

In the light of this understanding, the Forum said equity demands that “the presidency should rotate to the South” and therefore “advises that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.”

Not mincing words in its warning, the SMBLF, which reaffirmed its commitment to the unity of Nigeria, however, said this should be “situated on the tenets of Equity, Fairness, Justice, and the principle of federalism.”

The communique said the meeting, held in an atmosphere of peace and unanimous commitment to the decisions, arrived at its decisions after extensive deliberations on the state of affairs in the country, particularly, the security situation, Restructuring, preparations for the 2023 General Elections, and Zoning.

Further noting that the extant Constitution and structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided, the Forum said it would not recapitulate on demands for the fundamental restructuring of the country through a new Constitution that enthrones equity, fairness, and justice.

Insisting that “It must be One Nation, One System”, the Forum also condemned “the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone; calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.”

On this score, the Forum urged the National Assembly to “only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country”, even as members charged state governors and members of the National Assembly of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of restructuring.

In attendance at the meeting were representations from the four regional socio-cultural organizations, Afenifere for the South West; Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East; Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South; and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.

Among the personalities that graced the meeting were Chief Ayo Adebanjo – leader of Afenifere; Professor George Obiozor – President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien – National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); and Dr Pogu Bitrus – President of the Middle Belt Forum.

Others at the meeting included former Governors, federal and state legislators, past and serving Ministers, top politicians, and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, and Chief Supo Shonibare.

The list also had Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Professor G. G. Darah, Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana (SAN), Professor (Mrs) Chinwe Obaji, Major-Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engineer Ben Akaakar, Dr Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Ken Robinson, Solomon Asemota (SAN), Dr Alex Ogbonna, Mr Mac Emakpore, and Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, among others.

Endorsing the communique were the SMBLF leader, Chief Edwin Clark; Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Afenifere leader; Prof. George Obiozor – President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and Dr Pogu Bitrus – National President, Middle Belt Forum.