The clamour for the presidency to return to the North in 2015 is growing. No fewer than four prominent groups are now championing the cause. The campaign was initially spearheaded by two groups – Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Elders Forum (NEF). Last week, the four northern groups signalled that the presidency will not remain with a southerner beyond the next general elections.

In other words, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, from the South-south, suspected of nursing re-election, will not return to power. They claimed to have conceded power to the South to give it a sense of belonging, saying, whether by power rotation or voting power, the North would upstage the South from the presidency in 2015.

The groups also said that once North was back in power, it could decide to hold unto it indefinitely. The spokesman for the groups, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, who spoke in Kaduna, said: “Let me state that ACF, to many people, is not being as assertive on 2015 as they wish. This is not correct. Here in the North , we have certain tradition that sometimes people misread as a weakness”.

North must take back power

“The fact that we don’t come out in shouting match and in abusive language and so on sometimes gives the wrong impression that we do not have deep-rooted concern for ourselves about 2015. This is not true. The South-south is a tiny enclave of a few people, perhaps not bigger than Kaduna State”, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) and the NEF leader, told journalists.

He continued: “The North is determined and is insistent that the leadership of the country will rotate to it in 2015. “And I am making that very clear. ACF in front because they have been the oldest group, the Middle Belt Forum and our other groups have been very active and strong. All of us are likely to have this very tough but a common agenda.

It is not that the North is power blind. No! it will be argued on the rational agreement on ground today. “The North, on the basis of one-man-one-vote, can keep power indefinitely in the present Nigeria state. If it is on the basis of one-man – one-vote, the demography shows that the North can keep power as long as it wants because it will always win elections.



No zoning in the constitution

“Some of us who participated in conferences- constitutional conferences from 1987 to the last one, the Political Reform Conference – accepted that every part of this country should feel it is part of the leadership and that is the basis of the acceptance of the rotation arrangement between the North and South. This is what happened at the constitutional conference.

There was no question of geo-political zones. The geo-political zones were later introduction. So when this happened, of course, the argument was that it was supposed to be in the constitution but the government in power at that time said it was better for parties to use it to attract support and growth from all parts of the country. And this is what the PDP, the ruling party, now accepted.

I was part of the constitution drafting committee of the party and we incorporated it that there would be rotation between the North and South and, particularly in terms of the top leadership of the party. The question that followed immediately was that where would the rotation start? We, northerners, thought we should concede, that it should start with the South.

‘Obasanjo begged’

“This was because the North, over the years, whether military or civilians, had taken a good share of the leadership. And before then, there had been a crisis that led to the annulment of the June 12, 1993election. For example, somebody from the South-west was believed to have won the election that was annulled. This was the cumulative issue that informed our decision that the South should start.

That is how eventually Obasanjo came to be our president under an arrangement and the tenure clearly for four years. And when he asked or rather begged for the arrangement to be extended to match the constitutional allowance that the president could go for two terms, this was extended in an expanded caucus to make it eight years for Obasanjo.

“This particular president(Jonathan) was there as deputy governor representing the governor of Bayelsa State in that caucus meeting. He signed as number 37. It is in the document. The meeting agreed that the South will have eight years and then the North will have eight years. But, Obasanjo, after seeing some lacuna, tried to abandon the zoning as well as the constitution to seek third term. Of course he failed.

He came to the North and thought we will allow him to go without resistance to hand pick his successor. He hand picked my younger brother, the late Umaru Yar’Adua. But the condition had been satisfied, a northerner was president. Umaru soon took ill and died two and a half into his first term. It is obvious the constitution says if the president for whatever reason is not there, his vice will take over. That is why Jonathan, being his vice, became the president and we thought that at least, on moral grounds, at the end of four years, the North should take over.

North to blame

“It must have been the fault of northerners as far as I am concerned that they allowed this because it was their turn in 2011. But they allowed it. I thought Jonathan should have been first, purely on moral grounds, knowing that there was a rotation arrangement in place and that there was an agreement and all of them were signatory, but they came out to say they didn’t know about rotation. Obasanjo started it, he said he didn’t know about rotation. Jonathan himself said it that he didn’t’ know about rotation.

“But if you go to Chief Audu Ogbeh, who was chairman of the PDP at the time the agreement was brokered, he will give you the full story of how this thing happened. But the issue here is that we now have another four years pending. But, recently, we are now getting to know from one of the governors that they had some secret arrangement that they will still allow Jonathan to go for another four years.

They haven’t expatiated but it was revealed by at least governor of Niger State that there was this pledge to do one term by Jonathan in 2011. But it makes you think, really, how could leaders be trusted if they can not honour simple agreements whether written or unwritten? The hallmark of decent leadership is to honour agreements.

Two means

“The North is insisting that the presidency should come to the North whether on the basis of rotation or on the basis of voting power and we have the voting power.

Middle Belt and the North

“It is true that we are not as united as before. The Middle Forum has been there as part of the North. Last month, they went to say they supported Jonathan. Someone is taking advantage of the problems confronting us in the North to divide us. But we are working on that. We are going to bring back everybody to a roundtable so that everyone will say his mind, and we will come out with a political solution that will address the fears and needs of everyone. The North will always remain one.

“When we decide on our candidate, we will pick a northerner. It does not matter his religion and ethnicity. We shall look for a qualified northerner and support him. He can come from any tribe, state or religion. The most important thing is that we get back power”.

Hands of the Presidency

On the crisis in River State, the northern groups denounced it, including “the role of the spouse of the president in the impasse.

Their spokesperson added, “The shameful and disturbing abuse of power and rule of law in Rivers State are signs that Nigeria is descending into anarchy and lawlessness rarely seen in our history.

“The hands of the Presidency are clearly visible in all these events that appear to draw inspiration from the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan to stay in power in 2015. The most recent development in Rivers State represents a new low in the shameful conduct of political office holders at the highest levels, and they should be condemned by all Nigerians.

“The crisis in Rivers State is a sad reminder of our experience in the Western Nigeria crisis of 1963. We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to order an immediate cessation of hostilities in Rivers State and stop using the Nigeria Police to settle his political disputes. The police must not be dragged into the internal crisis of the president’s party. The governor of and people of Rivers State and, indeed, all citizens of Nigeria deserve the full protection of the law and their rights to live in peace under the state-guaranteed security”.

I will be back soon, leme wake up.

The elders needs some loaves of Cassava Bread to dip down their throat so they can only nod to YES the Umbrella!

2015

A

Brimmie: The elders needs some loaves of Cassava Bread to dip down their throat so they can only nod to YES the Umbrella!

2015

dont mind them.https://www.nairaland.com/1338941/crimes-buhari-wole-soyinkahttp://www.nairaland.com/1340249/buhari-1st-press-conference-headhttp://www.nairaland.com/1365890/arewa-youths-oppose-elders-over

And in 2018, they will still be saying the same thing because Jonathan's second tenure would be rounding up and the most likely candidate would be a Nigerian whether an Igbo or a Middle Beltan or a Yoruba or Another South Southerner. Just a Nigerian.

Lolzzz North or dey turn dis country to Syria

Weeping elders come rule let's see

Somebody should find me a pen I want to write the name of Noise makers

Who have time to read all that long rubbish from bunch of jokers

What happens to the saying that all powers belong to God?

Well, views must differ, and to think that they bothered by what is happening in Rivers beats my imagination, any ways, this world belong to all of us, na only once person go die and something must ever be responsible for that.

So, what's the fuss!

Ango,pls,count middle Belt and minotity christain in the North from your calculation.Also tell us clearly that Northern in your contest are Hausa-Fulani muslims.

Once Ghana must go bag begin flow overnight they will change their mind

What is ACF,NEF's problem. We need good leadership period. Whether u are from mars we dnt care as far nigerians get the fair deal of what democracy is.

obviously the core north want power bak to north for keep but not good governance .

the yorubas knows this so well but since yorubas need to return bak to the power inthe centre they must associate with core north to achive that aim.

no matter how the north shout north this and that they simply mean to core north. no matter how yorubas shout good governance this and that they only mean to yorubas.

this 3 group（fulani hausa and yoruba）has proven to us all that they are power hungry not competency.

obviously the core north can never trust middle belt untill they take complete hold of MB destiny.

so also in the south the yorubas never trusted anything old eastern nigeria and igbo or igbo sub groups. the trial to suport gej ijaw man is for two reasons.

1- the west at the moment was loosing so much bcus of unpaid allocations and the certainty of gej bcoming naija president bcus its constitutional.

2- adaka boro and edwin clark hatred on igbos translates into enemy of my enemy is my friend.
but as soon as Gej prove not to has any qualms with igbos he was taking as enemy of yorubas even when it is clear that yorubas has more minsterial posts than igbos under Gej administration even the lost of Rep chairman was blamed on Gej when it clear tinubu is the cause.

abuse from Yobuas on gej started as soon as he make ihejirika coas leader. and refuse to show igbo hatred.

all insultive names were given to gej bcus he is from minority tribe. imagin if there is no Rotimi in Amaechi do you think soyinka and falana and other yoruba groups will weld into the affairs of River state.

Average yoruba person want a core northerner in power no mater his incompetency and backwardness than a progressive and competent igbo man.

if anyone doubt me let APC mistakingly choose an igboman as presidential or VP candidate and see instant turn around from SW. you will quench.

9ja voice: obviously the core north want power bak to north for keep but not good governance .

the yorubas knows this so well but since yorubas need to return bak to the power inthe centre they must associate with core north to achive that aim.

no matter how the north shout north this and that they simply mean to core north. no matter how yorubas shout good governance this and that they only mean to yorubas.

this 3 group（fulani hausa and yoruba）has proven to us all that they are power hungry not competency.

What do you know? Nothing! Yoruba is tired of being held back, we will divest power from center and return this mofo back to its regional constituencies. Thats our mission, we shall accomplish it whether with PDP or with APC.

We are more powerful independently than in a union led by dimwits.

only Edos and itshekiri are considered true friends to SW in the south. others are enemies while igbo are archenemy. though time shall tell.

Land_of_M&H:


What do you know? Nothing! Yoruba is tired of being held back, we will divest power from center and return this mofo back to its regional constituencies. Thats our mission, we shall accomplish it whether with PDP or with APC.

We are more powerful independently than in a union led by dimwits.

tell that to foreigners not nigerians bcus we knw better. return power to region hahaha！tinubu busy working with core north. obj busy doing same hahaha. pls pls pal relax we know your defition of regionalism is making a yorubaman VP to a core northerner.

the ijaws and other southern minorities heared similar promises from you guys but now they knw better . they hav to shed their blood to get 13% derivation while yorubas and core north yet dominates the oil sectors. so save your breath.

9ja voice:

tell that to foreigners not nigerians bcus we knw better. return power to region hahaha！tinubu busy working with core north. obj busy doing same hahaha. pls pls pal relax we know your defition of regionalism is making a yorubaman VP to a core northerner.

the ijaws and other southern minorities heared similar promises from you guys but now they knw better so save your breath.

Read my post a second time, if necessary, read a third time...by gosh make certain you comprehend the statement.

The keyword for you is "Alagbada"!

Whether PDP win or APC win, whether in VP position or President position, Alagbada intends on consolidating power back in its territory. Ibadan will get its Glory back!

The doctrine Ijaw choosed to believe is Ijaw problem, not Yoruba problem. Ijaw has been in center now for 8+yrs; counting VP tenure and current Presidency. What doctrine has Ijaw initiated for itself or others? Nothing!

Bunch of dimwits!

Land_of_M&H:


Read my post a second time, if necessary, read a third time...by gosh make certain you comprehend the statement.

The keyword for you is "Alagbada"!

Whether PDP win or APC win, whether in VP position or President position, Alagbada intends on consolidating power back in its territory. Ibadan will get its Glory back!

The doctrine Ijaw choosed to believe is Ijaw problem, not Yoruba problem. Ijaw has been in center now for 8+yrs; counting VP tenure and current Presidency. What doctrine has Ijaw initiated for itself or others? Nothing!

Bunch of dimwits!

bro am not into name calling and insults instead common sense is my game here.

if regionalism is truely the yoruba plan pls tell us why you guys often chooses a core northerner for the job with a yoruba vp？（even when its clear that ne & nw can never do that job bcus their region will suffer most）

tell us why the yorubas never see competency in other southern groups？

.

.

9ja voice:

bro am not into name calling and insults instead common sense is my game here.

if regionalism is truely the yoruba plan pls tell us why you guys often chooses a core northerner for the job with a yoruba vp？（even when its clear that ne & nw can never do that job bcus their region will suffer most）

tell us why the yorubas never see competency in other southern groups？

I believe it is dis-ingenous to characterize our political alliances the way you've done. In all, Yoruba has never occupied the VP position.

Awo was picked by Gowon to deputize, Obasanjo was deputy to Murtala by professional circumstance and so was Diya in Abacha regime. So let me clarify that Yoruba has not been VP on any ruling political party platform.

In terms of party tickets, Yoruba has always floated its own party with a Yoruba as Presidential candidate. Go back to the time of AG and now in ACN....we put our guy on top.

On occassions where we allied with other party platforms we have found working with the Northerners more fitting and harmonious because our cultural relationship and alliances with them pre-existed the formation of Nigeria and is rich with history and successful outcomes. Southern Nigeria is a very young identity compared to the timeline of relationship between West and North. The social heirarchy, cultural institutions and customary standards between West and North is closely afiliated than with any other ethnic group in Nigeria. Our differences with them are visible only when you factor in the religions. In the South on the other hand, whether you strip off the religion or not we are completely divergent with other groups outside of Bini and Itsekiri.

Nigeria is a political risk. Successes at the polls is important, but far more important is successes of security on the home front. We must always be ready to assess risks and look for ways to compromise and renew alliances that safeguard the security and most importantly, the continuity of our heritage.

By your mention of a Southern alliance, I take it you are inferring a collaboration or political enterprise in which Yoruba dumps its alliance with North for an alliance with Southern groups.

I must tell you frankly that Yoruba is a co-locator in a geographic South and beyond that there are no "natural" ties of accordance that should desirably serve as the backbone for a lasting political partnership.

We cannot just for sentimental reason of being co-Southerner neglect to assess the risks and act on them. Currently the risks indicate an alliance with the North is minimally a much more managable undertaking that can be contained within the overall goal we aim to achieve for West.

Shameless people, and loafers.

When are they going to brainstorm on how to stop Boko Haram?


Nonsense!

Some days ago,there was an endorsement of Jonathan by Northern Elders,now its how the Northern elders will stop the south...na yeye elders full that region