The imminence of 2023, unsurprisingly, has triggered a whirlwind of mazy moves in the political arena. Media online and offline are agog with interest declarations for Nigeria’s top job as well as tasty speculations to match. While some aspirants have audaciously thought aloud, others are content with reprising the role of a patient lion waiting stealthily to strike. Amidst these intrigues, it is crucial contenders and other Nigerians become wary of sliding into amnesia of democracy tenets, particularly equity. It is most equitable for a south-easterner to become the next president of Nigeria.

During an Arise TV special interview programme on Saturday (February 19, 2022), Chief Edwin Clarke—a ninety-five-year old former government official and elder statesman—shared this viewpoint eloquently. He argued that after a Buhari regime of eight years, it is fairness for the presidential pendulum to swing in the South-east geo-political zone’s direction, because people from that extraction are part of this country. 1914 amalgamation of northern and southern protectorates, he buttressed, is a recipe for power rotation between northern and southern regions today. Resisting temptation of bias makes this point reasonably resounding. In other words, inclusiveness in politics should trump individual ambitions.

Additionally, Chief Clarke opined no zone of this country has a monopoly of competence. This begs a vital question: Is obscurity of South-east in the presidency since 1999 a function of dearth of competent hands or a hawked agenda that Aso Rock is somewhat exclusive to certain zones? True, presidential zoning is not backed by the constitution explicitly. But doesn’t the federal character principle therein provide clues, implicitly in this case, for running a Nigeria where every region is represented? Efforts to downplay equitable distribution of power by some presidential hopefuls to feather their own nest, exemplifies putting self ahead of nation. Such is a red flag, dent on the genuineness of their candidacy and loud claims of being pan-Nigerian.

Clearly, the ball is now in the court of political parties to prove their commitment to a cohesive, sustainable Nigeria by considering south-easterners more as presidential flag bearers in next year’s election. A vice-presidential slot is playing second fiddle, again and unacceptable. Kingsley Moghalu, Peter Obi, David Nweze Umahi, to mention a few, can rise to the occasion. However, vetting candidates rigorously to separate wheat from chaff, best from the rest, can nudge us close to a Nigeria that works.


Kaycee Naze,
Concerned Nigerian.

cc:lalasticlala

cc: Lalasticlala

The Presidential seat will never be zoned to Igbo village, never ever.

Presidency will never be zoned to anybody's village. If Igbos want the Presidency, they should come out and contest.

When Obasanjo ruled for two terms, the seat was not zoned to his village. Rather, he contested against Emeka Ojukwu and defeated Ojukwu in all the eleven South-South and South-East states. Obasanjo also defeated Alex Ekwueme at PDP Primaries, Obasanjo humiliated Muhammadu Buhari, Abubakar Rimi, and several other clowns. Obasanjo did not cry that the Presidential seat should be zoned to Ota Farm or Abeokuta village.

Power is not gotten in a platter of gold, power is fought for and won.

Who is still here?

naija4life247:
The Presidential seat will never be zoned to Igbo village, never ever.

Presidency will never be zoned to anybody's village. If Igbos want the Presidency, they should come out and contest.

When Obasanjo ruled for two terms, the seat was not zoned to his village. Rather, he contested against Emeka Ojukwu and defeated Ojukwu in all the eleven South-South and South-East states. Obasanjo also defeated Alex Ekwueme at PDP Primaries, Obasanjo humiliated Muhammadu Buhari, Abubakar Rimi, and several other clowns. Obasanjo did not cry that the Presidential seat should be zoned to Ota Farm or Abeokuta village.

Power is not gotten in a platter of gold, power is fought for and won.

Like u Boko haramed ur way to power in 2015

cc: lalasticlala

cc:lalasticlala

Equity means being fair and impartial to all. If you belong to a political party and you have contributed significantly to the growth of that party, it is only fair that you should be allowed to legitimately aspire to whatever position you desire on the north platform of the party.

In this regard, equity demands that PDP should consider given its ticket to someone from the SE as a result of years of laboring for the party. Similarly, the SW should also be considered for the ticket of the APC because of years of laboring for the party.

If the above is done, Nigerians can than troop out on Election Day to vote any of the candidates as president in a free, fair and open contest.

Any talk of equity that attempts to gift a region that castigated, insulted, and voted massively against a political party with the presidential ticket of that same party is not equity but injustice. We will never allow that to happen.

cc: lalasticlala