The clamour for power shift got a push on Sunday from former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who called for zoning and rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones.Gen.Gowon said rotating the office is key to peace, tranquility and development.

Besides, the elder statesman, who spoke in Abuja at 100th anniversary of Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA), canvassed the rotation of the presidency among the 19 Norther states, adding that, no ethnic group is better outside the nation than inside as one united Nigeria.

He suggested that Nigeria should henceforth, have two vice presidents, saying that one of them should come from the zone producing the President and the other elected into power during the presidential election.

Gowon who spoke on the topic: “Barewa College at centenary: Past, present and future,” also said the governorship position in all states of the federation should also be rotated among the three senatorial districts, saying that, such would help address the crisis of marginalisation.

Stressing the need for a united Nigeria, Gowon said Boko Haram, banditry and kidnapping have threatened the peace and the tranquility needed for educational development in the country.

He said: “Presidency should be zoned and rotated among the six geo-political zones of the country. This is key to peace, tranquility and development of our country.

“Also, among the 19 northern states, the Nigerian presidential position should be rotated.”

On insecurity, Gen. Gowon said:  “Insecurity is giving the northern region a bad name and image and the need to make the North peaceful again cannot be overemphasized.

“Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping have threatened the peace and tranquility needed for educational development in our land.

“Insecurity in any nation threatens development, law and order. Insecurity must be ruthlessly dealt with collectively to pave way for the development of the education sector and development.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said children of the poor in the North often described as (talakawa) were never prevented from going to school.
Debunking a statement that the northern elite did not allow the children of the talakawa to go to school, the sultan said such statement was false and should be disregarded.

Urging every northerner to speak against the statement, the one-time head of state said: “As a child, I attended the same school with children of our Dogari and Talakawa.”

He also stressed the need to support girl-child education, saying the girl-child remained one of the best children to train because she in turn manages the home and trains children to behave positively in society.

“We will continue to support and educate our children. If we are against education why are we spending millions to train our children.”

Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping have threatened the peace & tranquility....Insecurity in any nation threatens development, law and order. Insecurity must be ruthlessly dealt...."

VictorUSA:
See this old man. Rotational presidency is not democracy.And which one is two vice presidents?

dalongjnr:
Nice one but it can be more problematic if not well managed.

butterfly777:
This is rubbish.

Some people just think big keeping Nigeria one for no sensible reason of oneness for the sake of oneness, even if it is not benefitial to the people and actually causing conflict.

Imagine rotating Presidency among the states just for oness. Does that not make it obvious that we are not one, and the oneness is not working.

Oodua Republic before 2023.
Biafra Republic before 2023.

kettykin:
I fear some day this same people will go back wholesale to the Aburi Accord. It is just a matter of time

Racoon:
Same Gen.Gowon that said he has no regret fighting the civil war? Guess today's Nigeria was the Nigeria of his dream while he was military HOS?

Same Gowon that stayed put in government until he was disposed from government via the coup of July 28 1975? What happened to the Aburi accord? What does Nigeria need two VPs for when even the one she operates is already a big burden? Is this man ok?