Zoning in Nigeria and SWAGA 2023 – Part 2

This is why apart from Chief M.K.O. Abiola, no elected candidate from the South has emerged without representing the majority of the people of that religion, who without any doubt whatsoever, are predominantly Christians. These are not matters of conjecture but pure facts and logic, being the same reason there has been no elected candidate from the North who is not a Muslim. This is the way Nigeria is structured presently and all calculations and permutations for power shift must take account of these factors.

Let me now share with you the thoughts of other notable Nigerians on the issue of zoning and rotation.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

Edafe Great Sakoko:
Promoting religion is a no to me. Nigeria’s problem today is caused by Muslims and Christians. Please note not everyone of us believes in Christianity and Islamic. I will prefer a traditionalist rule over us come 2023.

Ilaje Trumpet:
Edafe Great Sakoko I buy your stance oooh, bro… but maybe those Christians tried before weren’t practicing Christians as indicated above by our SAN…

Paul Isaac Ayobamidele:
I think we should really look for the best candidate for this job. The political parties we have now are so useless that they do not have the interest of this country at heart. The issue now is Nigeria is already cracked beyond redemption. Let’s clear off this country and divide it into a manageable portion and then we can start a new beginning. The social system has cracked beyond redemption. We need a new value system, which can never happen in this condition we find ourselves.

Adetola Odumuyiwa:
Well written my erudite Senior Advocate of Nigeria. You were not dashed the title of SAN, you are eminently qualified for it. You went through the gamut of the Nigerian constitution right from the second republic to the present. Your role as stated in this piece is to guide those elements that are trying to manipulate the populace that have seen reading as a difficult thing.

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear on the issue of rotation, religion equity and fairness. Those who are claiming merit in choosing the President of Nigeria have forgotten that it was this issue of rotation that produced Mohammad Buhari as President from the North, not merit as the apologists of merit want us to accept. Buhari is the least person to consider on merit for the job. Again, even if the argument on merit is to be given a thought, does it mean that it is only in the North that we have the most qualified candidate for the top job? The writers of our constitution recognized two dominant religions in our country; Christianity and Islam. On the issue of population, it is not true that the north is more populated than the South, if a real and unbiased population census is carried out. Geographic location or landmass is not the same as the real human occupation. Thank you Big Sam.

Deji Falade:
I watched you last night and I was amazed by the way you spoke, with references from the constitution, quotingg Section 14 subsection 12, and 223 of 1999 constitution thereabout, on the status of power shift for equity. I was dazed at the way you eloquently present your argument sir. You’re one in a battalion. God blessed you always sir.

Ogu Ibrahim Ogelebe Kolu:
Good evening sir. You have really spoken wisely, intelligently and objective. However, I humbly crave your indulgence on certain constitutional provisions that you left untouched. I respectfully urge you to peruse through section 14 (1) of the 1999 CFRN as amended in 2011. It is clear that Nigeria is a state based on democracy. And democracy entails the wills of the masses.
Conversely sections 133 a & b of the 1999 CFRN as amended in 2011 clearly authenticated the concept of plurality of vote as a condition precedent for winning. Sir, I beseech to comply with your submissions that “all constitutional provisions should be read together in order to discover the intent and purpose of the drafters”. It is crystal clear that the combined effect of section 14 (1) and that of 133 a & b were not contemplated in as much as he passed the test of section 133 a & b of the 1999 CFRN.

Conclusively, the problem of Nigeria is far beyond Zoning, rather it is about the best and competent leaders and best attitude of Nigerians. In view of the foregoing, it is my humble submission that the combined effect of sections 14(1) and 133 a & b of the 1999 CFRN is clear hence they should be construed and interpreted in their ordinary wordings. This is premised on the fact that laws are neither made nor enacted as fancies nor decorations rather they are made to be obeyed.”

When we advocate for power shift, it should be total and holistic, to cover all its components, or else it will lose its effect and impact. And it is left to be seen how a Christian candidate will deputize for Jagaban as a representative of the North in the equation of SWAGA 2023. Clearly therefore, the 2023 presidency should represent a total power shift, both in region and religion.

Concluded
Adegboruwa is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.