The former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Elder Anthony Sani, has criticised an ex-governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu, for advocating for the governorship to be zoned to Nasarawa West.

According to him, this suggestion can only overheat the polity and politics in the state unduly.

In a statement, Sani said, “When I read and heard Governor Abdullahi Adamu canvassing for zoning to start in Nasarawa West, popularly known as Keffi zone, I saw no wisdom for his position, which can heat the polity and politics unduly.”

He pointed out that “this is because allowing all aspirants for governor in all three zones to join the fray does not vitiate the principle of zoning.”

Sani added, “Any zone which produces the governor in 2027 will mark the zone where the second cycle of zoning will begin,” adding, “In 2031, the other two zones can sort it out among themselves.”

“That way, merit is not sacrificed at the altar of zoning. Also, heating up the politics would be avoided.
Beginning of the cycle of zoning should not be made an exclusive preserve of any zone,” he said.

Besides, the ACF chieftain argued, “Consider what happened in 1999 when all aspirants from the three zones joined the race. It was when Keffi zone produced Governor Adamu that the zone marked the beginning of the first cycle of zoning, which will give way for the second cycle in 2027.”

Sani insisted, “That is why I am of the view that all aspirants for governor in the three zones should be allowed into the sumo ring. Any of the three zones that produce the governor in 2027 will mark where the second cycle of zoning will begin.”

He added, “This is because the second cycle of zoning can begin in any zone; it should not be made an exclusive preserve of any zone to kickstart every cycle.”

He emphasised, “This suggestion does not vitiate the practice of zoning in Nasarawa State.”