Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, a former Governor of Edo State, has spoken on the controversy trailing the issue of zoning in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying nobody should be barred from contesting for the Presidency in 2023.

Speaking in a chat with INDEPENDENT, Osunbor said people should be allowed to aspire to any office as long as they meet the eligibility criteria specified by the political parties and the constitution of the federal republic.

He said: “There is freedom of expression, freedom of thought and freedom to hold and impart opinion under the Constitution. People are free to express their opinions and to aspire to any office in the land so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. You cannot gag anybody.

“To the best of my recollection, since 1999 no one or section of the country has ever been prevented from aspiring to the office of President.

“However, there is usually a consensus within each political party as to where the Presidential ticket should go. When that happens, participation by aspirants who defy that understanding or zoning arrangement becomes merely academic.”

He added that while everyone is free to aspire, it is the responsibility of the party to decide who becomes the flagbearer of the party based on consensus or mutual understanding.

“So to answer your question directly, anybody from any section of the country can express his or her preference and even aspire but at the appropriate time, the party will decide based on the consensus or understanding.”
https://www.independent.ng/zoning-controversy-you-cant-bar-anyone-from-contesting-osunbor/

Yes, and nobody can blackmail Nigeria to zone presidency to a particular region.

Power is not given on a platters of gold, you work for it.

Anybody can say I want to contest but can everybody pay N25milla for the nomination form?

Moferere:
Yes, and nobody can blackmail Nigeria to zone presidency to a particular region.

Power is not given on a platters of gold, you work for it.

Then why are Yoruba politicians like Fashola trying to blackmail the north to zone the ticket to the south west?

The only time people were barred from contesting for the presidential ticket of a major party was in 2015 when PDP printed only one form for Goodluck Jonathan and it was one of the reasons why the party exploded then.

Zoning has never been used as an excuse to stop people from contesting. When PDP zoned the presidency to the south in 1999, all interested candidates from the south and north contested for the party’s ticket but a southerner emerged at the end of the day.

In 2007, PDP zoned its ticket to the north and still, all interested aspirants contested but a northerner emerged at the end of the day.

When APC zoned its ticket to the north in 2015, Okorocha from the south contested and Buhari from the north emerged.

So, zoning is not tantamount to barring any interested aspirant that wants to try his or her luck. Major parties will always zone while others are still allowed to run. At the end of the day, the winner would still be from the favored zone.

In 2023, APC’s presidential ticket is going to the south and that is not in dispute. All interested party members will contest and the winner will be supported by all.

This retired failed Edo politician should STFU,power must rotate back to the south.
Enough of illiterate abokkis ruling us with no clear direction.

However any aspiring presidential candidate chooses to go about it, he should not be barred. But Tinibu will never, ever preside over the affairs of this country.

Koulture:
This retired failed Edo politician should STFU,power must rotate back to the south.
Enough of illiterate abokkis ruling us with no clear direction.

I just tire. This fool we made governor only for him to go to benin and fight annenih, then shamelessly decamping to do boi boi for oshiomole. He has found us voice again

But some inconsequential miscreants have been making inconsequential noise so jagaban is barred from contesting so their chances of becoming president can be high.

Everyone should test his popularity, that's democracy.

Osunbor should get ready, they are coming for him. They insult more than anyone else, yet expect votes from same people they insult.

Una go kpe for garage. Clowns.

yes, let everyone test his popularity and let the best emerge

Simplyleo:
But some inconsequential miscreants have been making inconsequential noise so jagaban is barred from contesting so their chances of becoming president can be high.

Everyone should test his popularity, that's democracy.

Osunbor should get ready, they are coming for him. They insult more than anyone else, yet expect votes from same people they insult.

Una go kpe for garage. Clowns.

bolaayenimo:
Anybody can say I want to contest but can everybody pay N25milla for the nomination form?

No but you can test your popularity by going independent

Maduawuchukwu:


Then why are Yoruba politicians like Fashola trying to blackmail the north to zone the ticket to the south west?

Your urge to play tribal card has blinded you from seeing NOBODY that was clearly written in my message.

Please, engage your brain next time before you quote me.

I discuss issues, not people or tribe.