Zoning: Acid Test to 2011 Polls

By

Danlami Alh. Wushishi

danwushishi@yahoo.com

 

"Politics should be regarded as a calling and the players Should be dedicated, and render selfless service to the people" _Chief obafemi Awolowo

Once more Nigeria is on the march again preparing for another general election that will usher in a civilian to civilian transition, the second in the history of most populous black nation on earth. Unfortunately, an ugly trend is rearing its head, this is otherwise called Zoning, an arrangement that has been working harmoniously in Nigeria is about to be a cancer that some people are using to cause further crisis in Nigeria. This has pose a great threat to our nascent democracy in view of the fact that our National dailies and Electronic media are been a washed with issue of Zoning to be or not to be, the whole issue becomes more pronounced at the demise of  President Umaru Musa Yaradua in May 2010.Already a dividing line has glaringly manifested itself thru the pro and anti Zoning which cut across our geographical divide, a section of some critics and opinion leaders instigate the `Zoning debate, some equally opined that past leaders have failed the nation, just because they got the exalted seat on a platter of gold, another school of thought maintain that if Democracy is really a game of numbers, then regionalism or zoning should be discarded to allow credible candidate s emerge, well whichever way one look at the whole scenario, we could agree to do away with Zoning on paper whereas our mind remain glued to who come from where.

Ordinarily, I won’t write on this issue simply because I’m not a politician, but my curiosity deepens in a bid to assess the constitutionality of zoning vis – a – vis its impact on our unity as a Nation. Today, a lot of criticism trailed media chat admitted that a tough meeting was held but Obasanjo did not utter anything on Zoning.

Some critics condemn Zoning formula as unconstitutional or an aberration from acceptable democratic practices all over the world. Zoning arrangement begun at the time South West desperately yearned for presidency on the premise that the North anulled their son Moshood Abiola election for the presidency. This offered a platform that gave Chief Olusegun Obasanjo the opportunity to be elected the P resident of Nigeria.

The wisdom behind the Zoning arrangement is to give a sense of belonging to our divergent ethnic groups in view of the agitations for recognition in governance. We have a peculiar case in Nigeria, unlike other celebrate democracies where ethno – religious differences is not a factor been considered in election to the public office. This unfortunate trend has become a strong factor that even 1999 constitution recognized under Section 14(3) that provides that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affair shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria and the need to promote National Unity.This is also to be reflected in all States and Local Government in Nigeria.

Still in 1999 constitution, Section 223(1) (a) provides for periodical election on a democratic basis of the principal officers and members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political party, whose election shall reflects Federal Character, while the constitution of Peoples Democratic Party 2009 (as amended) provides under Article 7 (2) (c) that PDP shall pursue its objectives in accordance with the principles of equity, Justice, and farness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective officers, it shall be enforced by the appropriate elective committee at all levels. It went further to provide under Article 13:24 that without prejudice to the provision of the 1999 constitution the principle of Federal Character shall be observed in the appointment or election of members of the executive committee at all levels of the party.

Zoning has been part of our political calculations in Nigeria, even during the first Republic we had regional heads, and in the second republic we had Shagari /Ekwueme leadership. In 1993, the North overwhelmingly voted Ba shorun MKO Abiola in the botched 3rd Republic which was repeated in 1999 for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a man that now makes comments at variance with the arrangement he benefited from. In an advertorial on Daily Trust dated 13th May, 2010, a minutes of the meeting dated 2nd December, 2002 was reproduced confirming to generality of Nigerians that Obasanjo and indeed other Chieftains of PDP can’t claim Ignorant of Zoning arrangement or not being sacrosanct .

The  demise  of Alh. Umaru Musa Yar ’ adua exacerbated the zoning debate, because calls for President GoodLuck Jonathan to continue began to filter even before the remains of Late Umaru Musa Yaradua was buried. Though, President GoodLuck Jonathan had at different fora vow to conduct a credible Elections, the major controversy now is whether he will contest 2011 polls or not. His response on maiden TV programme “Mr President Speak” is not convincing that he won’t contest, of course as a Nigeria he can contest 2011, but by party arrangement a slight detour will have consequential effects on States and Local Governments. It is a known fact that whatever decision is taken within PDP, it will definitely have effect on our body of polity since PDP controls more than two-third of states of the Federation and the Nation Assembly members, So zoning is too expensive to be left as PDP affairs alone, especially now that it is threatening our march towards civilian transition.

I have come to the conclusion that the acid test facing the 2011 polls is Zonin, yet I think President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has a stake in the future  direction of Nigeria, he should shun those who called on IBB to continue, held Abacha  Million March, promoted Obasanjo’s 3rd term and be resolute toward a credible election.