POLITICS
2023: Voices on rotation, Southern President
It is not yet decided by any of the two major political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where their party offices zoning pendulum would point for the presidential slot. The situation is not helped by the acrimonious voices of claim of right for the slot from the peoples of the Southern and Northern region. In the PDP, the claim is amplified by politicians in the party. Obike Ukoh takes a look at the back and forth
The geo-political zone to produce the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after President Muhammadu Buhari’s exit in 2023, is now an issue.
The two major political parties: All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are yet to make pronouncement on the issue.However, there are divergent views by stakeholders on the geo-political zone to occupy the seat. The general opinion, is that the South should produce the next president, but the view is not shared by some critical stakeholders, especially in the North.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), at a recent meeting in Kaduna, in which Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, among other where present, did not endorse zoning for the 2023 presidency.
According to them, democracy is essentially the freedom to choose a good leader and everybody should be allowed to choose the person he wants.
“We want a President with the vision and the capacity to retrieve the country from the verge of collapse,” they said.
In a keynote address titled “Rebuilding the North,” Baba-Ahmed, who is the Director, Publicity and Advocacy, NEF, chronicled the challenges facing the North and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“We have a democratic system that progressively benefits only a handful of leaders and politicians, and leaves millions of our people to wonder how it could be the best option available to terrorised and poor people.
On zoning and 2023 presidency, he was philosophical.
“Changes in the quality of leadership starting from the 2023 elections is beyond question.
“ This is why the North should support major amendments of the electoral process, and improvements in the capacities of INEC to reduce rigging and vote-buying and violence.
“For most of what the North needs to do, the centre is important. The successful campaign to defeat the damaging narrative that no Northerner should aspire to contest for the presidency of Nigeria is a credit to committed democrats and those who believe in justice, equity and fairness.
“It is important to emphasise, however, that this was not a campaign that sought to bestow any favours on the North and shortchange the rest of Nigeria.
“It was essentially meant to avoid restricting the political space, as well as the danger of the emergence of a president who bears all the hallmarks of limiting identities and the stamp of a victory of the part over the whole.’’
Chief Raymond Dokpesi, though a Southern is spear-heading the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the PDP.
Dokpesi who is the Head, Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign, assured that the former vice-president will only complete one tern and handover to Igbo candidate of South-East extraction.
He stressed that if elected, Atiku would rule for a single term of four years, which would pave way for the South-East to produce the president in 2027.
Dokpesi, who spoke recently in Umuahia, maintained that Atiku, who hails from the North-East geo-political zone is the right person to wrestle power from the APC.
Dokpesi revealed that the PDP zoning arrangement was not honoured during the 2015 presidential election, and consequently, the party went into the election with a divided house and lost.
He said that the PDP had to give the North another chance to complete its four years in the presidency in order to wrestle power from the APC in 2023.
He said: “Our party believes in rotation of the office of president between the North and South for two-term of eight years.
“That was why former President Olusegun Obasanjo handed over to late Umaru Ya’Adua, but after his death, former President Goodluck Jonathan took over and completed his first term.
“Jonathan also asked for another four years which was given to him, but when he started asking for another term in 2015, the North felt it was against the zoning agreement of the party.
“So we went into the election with a divided house and we lost. That is why we have reasoned that for us to wrestle power from APC we need a strong presidential candidate from the North
“Since it’s believed that North-East and South-East are the two geo-political zones that have not produced the president, we felt that Atiku, coming from the North-East is a strong candidate for the job.”
Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, however, differed from Dokpesi and NEF.
He said that it would be unjust for the North to still take a shot at the presidency in 2023 in spite the agitations for power shift to the South at the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
He stressed that it would be injustice to the South for a Northerner to replace President Buhari in 2023.
“How can it be that it is always we the Northerners that will rule? There is no justice in this matter, we rule, they (South) rule that is justice.
“Even though we didn’t do much in all the years that the Northerners ruled, what will we say to the people? What will we show to the citizens of Nigeria that they benefited or will benefit in order for them to give us their votes?
“It is my opinion that when President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure is over, the North should stop. He (Buhari) is finishing his eight-year tenure, and how can another Northerner contest and also go for another eight years, since each term is four years and the candidate allowed to run twice? Honestly, this is not justice.”
However, majority groups from the South and politicians are insisting that the position should be zoned to the South.
Leading the pack, Leaders of Though from the Southern and Middle Belt zones of the country, at a recent meeting in Abuja, resolved that the next president of the country should come from the South.
Though the elders did not micro-zone, they however warned that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.
The communique issued after the meeting reads inter alia: “The meeting extensively discussed various issues on the state of affairs in the country, particularly the security situation, restructuring, preparations for the 2023 general elections and zoning.
“Cites that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of eight years by 2023, hence, the presidency should rotate to the South.
“Therefore, unequivocally, and in full resolve call on all political parties in the country to zone their presidential ticket to the South.
“Advises that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.”
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Jare Ajayi, in an interview restated the stand of Southern and Middle Belt leader on zoning.
“First of all, the presidency in 2023 must shift to the southern part of the country. We insist on that. For whether it should be South-East, South-South or South-West, we want the best person, who will do the job, correct all the anomalies that the country is going through, and ensure that Nigeria move forward to where other countries are in the 21st century and beyond.
“That is the kind of candidate that we are looking forward to. To be specific, when we get close to that time, we will decide.
“ As far as we are concerned in Afenifere, whoever that emerges as president in 2023, will have problem in running the country if Nigeria is not restructured.
“There must be serious tinkering with the present structure in such a way that it will be pro-people, rather than how it is now.’’
Though the PDP has not zoned the presidency, a group, Vanguard for Justice, has warned the party not to zone it to the North.
The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Emmanuel Nduka, submitted that zoning the presidency to the South would not only engender national unity, equity and justice, but was consistent with the mood of the nation.
The group warned that if the PDP zones the presidency to the North “it may be the end of the PDP in Nigeria’s political space.”
The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze has remained consistent that the next president of Nigeria should be of Igbo extraction from the South-East.
Igbo elders at a recent meeting “mandated the President- General to work in close consultation with the Igbo socio-cultural and political intelligentsia to pursue the task of ensuring that the Igbo take their turn in producing the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023 general elections.”
They, however, acknowledged that the Igbo presidency is only achievable in consultation with other ethnic nationalities.
They urged every Igbo man or woman with the needed capacity to show interest in the 2023 presidential race.
On rotation, Prof. George Obiozor, has this to say in his capacity as the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide:
“ It is important to remind all the parties, particularly the two major parties- APC and PDP the idea of North/South political rotation in Nigeria. It is a historic principle holding Nigeria together that was bequeathed to Nigeria’s future generation by the founding fathers.
“ Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe (East), Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alh. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa( North), Chief Obafemi Awolowo ( West) among others.
“It was instituted and reinforced by further instruments even in the 1999 Constitution such as the federal character and other acts of legislation.
“I call on the present generation of political leaders of Nigeria to avoid the present trend or temptation of throwing away institutions and political conventions and customs that is holding the country together.
“ These institutions are there to ensure harmonious or peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.
“ The institution of North/South rotation is a critical element in the maintenance of peace and unity of Nigeria.
“ We must always remember the precarious balance involved in the making of the governance or history of Nigeria since the amalgamation of 1914.
“All patriotic Nigerians or those who wish Nigeria well must join hand in preserving Nigeria unity by taking reasonable and desirable actions to preserve Nigeria unity. “It is important to state categorically, that attempt to do away with North/South rotation is an attempt to throw Nigeria into a political crisis and clearly a denial of Nigeria history.
“We have a federation as a system of government and in federation throughout the world, rotation and fair sharing of power is imperative, and Nigeria is not going to be an exemption.
With no decision taken on zoning by the major political parties and agitations raging, it is expected that the voice of reason will triumph. Sages in their various thoughts were unanimous in their views that equity, accommodation of divergent views, unarguably boost peaceful co-existence. (NANFeatures)
POLITICS
Poverty, Behind Deadly Stampedes Across Nigeria, says Falana
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, on Sunday attributed the deadly stampede that claimedmore than 105 lives in stampedes during food and cash distribution events to “poverty-induced neoliberal economic policies” and “criminal negligence.
”In a statement released on Sunday, Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond ASCAB, demanded justice for victims of the tragic events, saying, “These tragic events are a national shame, the victims were not just statistics but human beings driven to desperation by systemic poverty and the gross incompetence of those entrusted with their safety.
”On December 21, 12 people died and 32 others were injured in Okija, Anambra State, during a scramble for rice distributed by a philanthropist.
On the same day, a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including children, as over 3,000 people jostled for palliatives.
Just two days prior, on December 19, 35 children lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas funfair at an Islamic High School, Basorun. in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The loss of these innocent lives is heart-wrenching,” Falana lamented.
“It underscores the indignity that poverty imposes on our people.”
Falana also criticized the elite for their treatment of the poor during such events, stating, “No member of the elite invites others to lunch by throwing the food,” and condemned what he termed “class prejudice” in the distribution of humanitarian aid.
He also announced plans to mobilize lawyers to pursue civil suits against the organizers of these events.
“We will ensure survivors and families of the deceased are adequately compensated,” Falana affirmed. “Those responsible for these avoidable tragedies must be held accountable.”
POLITICS
2025 budget: LP Chieftain Lauds Tinubu for Diving Priority to Security, Others
Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, National Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) ,has commended President Bola Tinubu for giving priority to security and other key sectors in the 2025 Appropriation Bill .
Olorunfemi gave the commendation while speaking with newsmeon Thursday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the President had on Wednesday presented the N47.
9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill , christened “Budget of Restoration, Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity” , to a joint session of the National Assembly .The President listed highlights of the 2025 budget allocations to include: defense and security: N4.91 trillion; infrastructure: N4.06 trillion; Health: N2.
48 trillion and Education: N3.52 trillion.Reacting , Olorunfemi described security as an enabler of development.
He called on the President to ensure proper implementation ,saying budgets had always been well-crafted but usually lacked monitoring and implementation.
“There is nothing that can happen if there is no security. This is good if the budget is properly utilised for the purpose.
“Our problem is not about policies and budgets, it is about monitoring and implementation.
“There is nothing wrong in bringing a budget proposal forward in terms of expectation, what we want to do, how we want to do it, and how much we want to spend.
“Now, the most important thing is the implementation,, budgets in Nigeria have always been properly crafted,” the LP boss said.
Olorunfemi called on the President to build strong institutions to prevent sabotaging of his policies.
“If this government wants to do anything, it must wake up to the responsibility of monitoring policies and ensure severe penalty for anyone who attempts to sabotage such policies.
“We need institutions that no one will be able to interfere with. We must allow these institutions to work, that is what we expect.
“Once we have strong institutions, most of our problems are solved,” he said.
He also called on the President to take steps to address the problems experienced by Nigerians in the banking sector.
Olorunfemi decried the inability of many Nigerians to get cash at bank’s Automated Teller Machines and the high charges paid to get cash from Point of Sales (POS) operators.
The LP boss also urged the President to devise ways of ending multiple taxations and high fuel price, describing them as major causes of hardship .
Recalled that the President said that the budget was a demonstration of government’s commitment to stabilising the economy, improving lives and repositioning the country for greater performance.
He also said the budget sought to consolidate the key policies instituted to restructure the economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments and bolster oil and gas production. (NAN)
POLITICS
Atiku hails Ndimi’s Oriental Energy on commissioning of first FPSO
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The former Vice President of Nigeria and PDP Presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar has congratulated the Chairman of the Nigerian Independent producer, Oriental Energy Resources (OER), Muhammadu Indimi, on the successful completion and commissioning of the Okwok Field’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel/platform in Dubai.
In a statement in Abuja by his Media Office in Abuja on Wednesday, the Former Vice President described the commissioning of the FPSO as one of the most gladdening news coming out from the upstream subsector of Nigeria’s oil industry in recent times.
“The vessel’s deployment at the Okwok field is expected to significantly increase Nigeria’s crude oil output, contributing to the government’s revenue growth and economic development objectives,” he said.
According to Atiku, “This is the first FPSO entirely funded by an indigenous Nigerian company and this landmark achievement being championed by OER showcases the rising capability of Nigerian firms in conceptualising and successfully executing complex projects in the nation’s upstream oil industry.
The successful building and commissioning of the FPSO marks a significant step toward enabling an indigenous oil and gas company to independently develop a marginal oil field.
This development marks an important milestone for Nigeria and its indigenous energy sector, he said.
“No doubt, this latest investment would boost economic growth, generate job opportunities for Nigerians, and ensure steady growth and development of not only the oil sector but the nation’s economy in general.”
He described Indimi as a man who so much believes in the capabilities that exist in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
“From onset of his foray into the nation’s oil sector, his vision of standing out as a player of reckon in the nation’s upstream oil business has been top-notch,” he said.
As he said, Oriental Energy’s significant investment in the oil sector has set a new standard in local investment and operational excellence in the nation’s oil business, benefiting both the company and its partners.
The 40,000 barrels per day capacity facility constructed by the Singaporean firm HBA Future Energy will commence sailing to Nigerian waters beginning February 2025 for hook-up on the Okwok Oil Field. Production is expected to commence on the oil field in the first half of next year.
Okwok Oil Field, discovered by ExxonMobil in 1967, is located in Oil Mining Lease(OML) 67, in 31 metres water depth in shallow marine, southeast offshore Nigeria with estimated recoverable reserves of 45 million barrels. OER has an ongoing multi-well drilling campaign on the field that commenced in October 2023.