The lingering debate over zoning by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may soon be put to rest when leaders of the Northern Forum pushing for the maintenance of zoning meet with the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and members of the executive on a date yet to be decided.

It is expected that the desirability or otherwise of zoning would be thoroughly discussed at the meeting. Chairman of the Northern Forum, Mallam Adamu Ciroma confirmed that the Forum had applied for a meeting with the chairman of the party. However, the party had not replied the letter requesting for a meeting. Sources said the need or otherwise for the meeting was part of what the national executive decided at its meeting last Wednesday.

Ciroma maintained that the party settled for the zoning formula in 1998 and agreed that the south should produce the president for 10 years. The agreement was what made northern leaders to support former President Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled for two terms of eight years, he said.

The ascendancy of the late president Umar Musa Yar’Adua was in accordance with the spirit of zoning. The unfortunate death of Yar’Adua who was succeeded by his deputy in accordance with the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution has, however, thrown up a new challenge as many are canvassing for the setting aside of the zoning formula to enable President Goodluck Jonathan contest the 2011 presidential election.

Should president Jonathan who is from the south contest; the party would have abandoned the principle of zoning.
“We have sought appointment with the national chairman and we are waiting for his reply. There is no need to consider options before us when discussion is ongoing. But whatever decision the party takes, it will pay a price because of the consequences,” Ciroma said.

Asked why the North is divided on zoning, Ciroma said northern leaders canvassing for the party to abandon zoning are entitled to their opinion adding “…they have the right to take the decision they took. Nobody can tell another person what to do.” He maintained that president Jonathan has the right to contest the 2011 presidential election as pointed out by the northern governors adding that the question of whether or not it is morally right should be left to the people to decide.

Ciroma denied meeting with the 19 northern governors before their meeting two weeks ago saying:” they are very important people.” According to Ciroma, the Forum had also written to the Senate President, senator David Mark to seek for an audience with him. Mark has not replied the letter.

The meeting held with the speaker of the House of Representative, Honourable Dimeji Bankole was to sensitize him on the need for the party to respect the agreement reached on zoning by party leaders. The reaction of Bankole, according to him, is not supposed to appear on the pages of newspapers.

He expressed his satisfaction with the strength of character of those appointed as chairman and commissioners of INEC saying; “I happy with those appointed as leaders of the INEC. I am optimistic that they will do a good job.”

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