Apex Igbo socio-cultural associations, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has faulted the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), call for zoning be jettisoned ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, made available to New National Star in Enugu on Sunday, Ohanaeze said the communique which was signed by the former Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University, Professor Doknan Danjuma Shannon, will not redress the imbalance in political structures of the country.
“The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to the communique issued by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), captioned “2023 Presidency: Northern Elders Kick against Zoning”.
“These are issues which have remained unabated because of ethnic and religious induced policies, injustice and more importantly, the inability to make the right choices. It is therefore very strange that the elders instead of seeking solution to the problems they have so identified, they are busy strategizing on how to destroy the vital values that has helped to lubricate a precarious balance in the country.
“Thus, Nigeria was structured into six geopolitical zones; namely, South South, South East, South West, North West, North Central and the North East. It was also agreed that political offices will be zoned or distributed among the zones in such a way that every zone will have a sense of belonging.
“Obasanjo, in keeping with the rotation principle, handed over to the North in the person of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007. At the death of Yar’Adua, a Southerner, specifically the South South in the person of Dr Goodluck Jonathan was elected the President. Jonathan again, handed over to a Northerner, President Muhammadu Buhari whose second tenure of four years each will end in 2023.
“By the rotation and zoning principle that has been in operation in Nigeria, It is only fair that the presidency be zoned to the South, specifically the South East of Nigeria.
“It remains the moral duty of elders to guide the society on the path of truth and honour. It was Alex Tocqueville who admonished that “when the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
“The NEF know full well that in the interest of peace, unity and corporate existence of Nigeria, we the elders must, as a matter of necessity, embrace equity and justice. It is therefore only fair that the South East of Nigeria should be supported to accede presidential power because what is good for the goose is, mutatis mutandis, good for the gander.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no country on the planet earth that can progress under the dire straits and strains of inequity, injustice, mistrust, viciousness, braggadocio and predatory ethnocentrism. The above vices will surely engender crises, conflicts, economic downturn, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, etc.
“All the ongoing shenanigans about zoning in Nigeria is because it is the turn of the South East to produce a president in Nigeria. This NEF knows. We want to use this medium to salute the likes of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief E K Clarke, Dr. Pogu Bitrus and other leaders for their courage to stand by the right side of history.
“Above all, President Muhammadu Buhari has the burden of history to treat the South, the South East, how Chief Olusegun Obasanjo treated the North in 2007. Obasanjo against all pressures displayed honour and statesmanship when in 2007, he handed over to the North in the person of Umaru Musa Yadua
“With an Igbo as president of Nigeria, all the indices of a fragile state that currently confront Nigeria will vanish for good. With an Igbo as president, it is an era of prosperity.
“Nigerians are witnesses to the highly accomplished cerebral Igbo technocrats with impressive track records of accomplishments that have indicated their interest to redeem Nigeria from a tailspin. Among them are men who have served Nigeria with uprightness and impeccable integrity.
