BreakingHighlightPoliticsTop StoryTrending Story

2023 polls: Zoning Presidency to South: Perish the idea, Kogi Gov. tells agitators

316


Apparently reacting to calls for the zoning of Presidency to the South in 2023, Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has foreclosed any of such political arrangement. 


He dismissed calls for rotational presidency saying it has outlived its usefulness. 


Southern and Middle-Belt leaders forum chaired by Nonagenarian Chief Edwin Clark had last week demanded zoning the Presidency to the South as a precondition for participating in the 2023 polls and for the continued unity of the country.

Bello spoke to State House correspondents on Thursday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.


Bello indicated that he might heed the clamour of some Nigerians to contest the 2023 presidential election.


“Competence and capacity should be the criteria for the 2023 polls and not  ethnicity or region.”

He said: “For once let’s get Nigeria fixed. We have practised as seemingly rotational presidencies since 1999 to date, let us evaluate our successes or achievements from this seeming rotational  presidency between then, and now. “Why don’t we simply go for the best after all, we copy this democracy from America and some of the developed world, how many of these countries are practising traditional presidency? You see, we are where we are today not because we are practising rotational presidency. If you want to go by that rotational presidency, then do perfect zoning. Go by perfect rotation. And if you go by rotation and whichever way you come from, I don’t think you should exclude where I come from.

That’s number one. “Number two, let us get a credible, sincere, patriotic, Nigeria to fix it. If you’re flying an aircraft, you don’t ask who is the pilot? If you take the operation in a hospital, you wouldn’t ask which doctor is this, is he from your zone, your  tribe, your religion, all you want is the best pilot to fly you safely to your destination. All you want is you want the best doctor to handle you and deliver you safely from the operation. “I think Nigeria is at that point now of seeking the best from anywhere in this country, irrespective of where he comes from.

Thereafter, you balance you remain in position to reflect equity, fairness and justice. That is my position.”Asked how he intends to convince the south East who are clamoring to produce the next President to support him, Kogi Governor said: “Like I said, I when the time comes, and when God give us the grace, and we’ll get there by the grace of God. 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: 1.6m of 2m Nigerians living with HIV currently receiving treatment nationwide—NACA DG

Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Director General, Dr....

ECOWAS and The Gambia – Preventing Another Dangerous Slide

By Paul Ejime Eight years after ECOWAS led the international community by...

Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Inches Up to 4.3% in Q2 2024

Nigeria’s unemployment rate experienced a slight increase to 4.3% in the second...

NNPC Ltd. Clarifies Discrepancy in Crude Oil Production Figures, Confirms 16.56% Increase in October

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has clarified reports of...

Africa tops global femicide table, Americas, Oceania follow closely – UN report

Latest report from the United Nations Women and UN Office on Drugs...

Breaking: Nigeria’s GDP Grows by 3.46% in Q3 2024, Outpacing Q2 Growth

Nigeria’s economy has shown resilience with a 3.46% growth in its Gross...

NEC Urges States to Adopt Local Technology to Drive Industrialization

The National Economic Council (NEC) has called on state governments to adopt...

Updated: Driver narrowly escapes death as container falls on car in Lagos, the 7th in 2024

A driver was rescued by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)...

Nigeria, Brazil Sign Landmark MoU to Boost Agribusiness

The Nigerian Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil’s...

Just in: Again in Lagos, unstrapped container falls on vehicle at Mile 2, trapping occupants

Lagos is in the news again for unstrapped containers falling on hapless...

Full Privatization of Nigeria’s Refineries Underway – Presidency

The Presidency has announced plans for the complete privatization of Nigeria’s state-owned...

Staggering N197.72bln in irregular contract payments uncovered at MDAs – Auditor-General

A recent report by the Auditor-General of the Federation has uncovered a...

Fatal Islington sword attack: London teenager Tate bags 22 years

A teenager, Sanchez Tate, 18, has been sentenced to 22 years in...

With extant appeal, Rivers Govt.’ll be given its monthly federal allocation – FG

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has reacted to the...

FG urged to promote national unity, social cohesion using community-based events, initiatives

The Federal Government has been urged to take a more active role...

Carjacking in FCT: Police recover Land Cruiser Prado after high-speed hot chase

In a swift response to a distress call, the Federal Capital Territory...

Just in: Abuja Court remands 109 alleged foreign hackers in prison

No fewer than 109 alleged foreign hackers, including females who attempted to...

Lagos, Abuja airports receive full NCAA certification

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport...

Day 3 of African Military Games: Nigerian Armed Forces Shine, Win 17 Medals

The Nigerian Armed Forces have made a remarkable impact at the ongoing...

Eight secondary school boys seize, gang-rape 14-year-old schoolgirl in Ogun

A 14-year-old schoolgirl in the Ijebu-Mushin area of Ogun State has been...