Presidency: Northern Leaders Want Zoning Till 2047
•Jonathan has constitutional right to contest, insists Clark
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja, 06.19.2010

More facts have emerged from the meeting of a group of northern leaders who met Thursday night in Abuja to canvass for the continued retention of zoning in the power sharing arrangement between the north and south in the country.


A source conversant with positions taken at the meeting said their discussion on zoning looked beyond 2015 and that they intend to ensure that all the geo-political zones in the country contest and hold the presidency for the maximum eight years “and by implication, zoning shall remain in place till 2047.”


But in a swift reaction, Ijaw leader Edwin Clark currently in London said it is an unfair position and that he still maintains his earlier position that President Goodluck Jonathan has every right to contest the 2011 presidential election.
According to the source, the group reviewed the circumstances that led to zoning between the north and south “and we agreed that the idea of zoning was originally brokered by the south and that it was identified as one of the factors that would stabilize our polity.


“We equally agreed that zoning must continue till all the geo-political zones hold and produce the president of the country, thereafter it would be thrown up.


“To this end, it was agreed that we must continue to champion zoning to the extent that all the zones are accommodated alongside the north and south as the guiding principle.” It was because of this, the source explained, that three committees of thirty members each were set up to champion the position.


Already, the source said Mallam Adamu Ciroma would head the Contact and Mobilization Com-mittee, former Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu will head the Planning and Strategy Committee, while Mogaji Dambatta will head the Publicity Committee.
He said that the Ciroma-led committee would recruit more people into the campaign which would ensure that zoning of the presidential ticket of the PDP and other political parties is achieved, while Ayu’s committee will reach out to other zones.


The source observed that the meeting agreed that there is a need to adequately inform all Nigerians on the desirability of zoning, “as all democracies in the world have things that are peculiar to them; no two democracies are the same the world over.”


The meeting frowned at some groups in support of a Jonathan candidacy, stating that they believe the president being a man of honour “would ensure that the gentleman’s agreement reached at a meeting to stabilize democracy in Nigeria is respected.”
On why the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar stayed away from the meeting, the source said Abubakar was outside the state, but former President Shehu Shagari sent representatives, while General Mohammadu Buhari did not attend because of his previous experience with alliances.


Specifically, the meeting agreed that the issue of zoning of the presidency was at the insistence of the south, supported by former Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, who argued along the lines of a sense of belonging by all the geo-political zones.


The meeting was attended by General Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ciroma, Audu Ogbeh, General David Jemibewon General Salihu Ibrahim, Saleh Hassan, General Mohammed Magoro, Bello Kurfi and Iyorchia Ayu, among others.


One of Clark’s legal aides, Barrister Kayode Ajulo who said the Ijaw leader spoke to him on the meeting by the northern politicians said: “Chief Clark still stands by his earlier position when he met with the Middle Belt leaders that President Jonathan has every constitutional right to contest.
“He also said that President Jonathan contesting the presidential election does not in any way preclude any other person from contesting.”

People should look beyond 2011. If the North is serious that all zones must taste and chop power at a specific time, then they have my vote. They must endeavour to put it into the country's constitution as soon as possible, working with people from other zones. There must be equality of zones to access to leadership.

What nonsense, people are now equating PDP with Nigeria

What are the so-called geographic zones of Nigeria? How can you zone the presidency of a country? Next you will also be zoning it based on religion, income, educational background (in which case Southerners have the edge)  

desgiezd:

What nonsense, [size=13pt]people are now equating PDP with Nigeria[/size]   

Who are the people doing this? This is the media reporting on the decisions made during a PDP meeting as if the PDP is Nigeria. Nigerian media tends to be SERIOUSLY biased and show no shame reporting from a biased point of view. Worse is people actually SWALLOW up a lot of that bias as if it is REAL, and forgetting that there are other parties/options out there that they can vote for rather than HOPELESSLY giving into this[b] [size=14pt]"GRAND NONSENSE"[/size] [/b] called Zoning . . .  [size=13pt] ROFLMAO[/size] !!

desgiezd

No one is equating PDP to Nigeria and it is not by force to belong to the PDP. If you do not like PDP's zoning arrangement, go form a party and take power and dispense it as you wish. I am 1000s of miles from the PDP but I respect their arrangement which actually highlights respect and equality for everyone. So form a party and give the presidency to whomsoever you wish if you dislike equity and justice. As far as I know, the other parties are a bunch of ragtag disjointed entities that still have a long way to go putting their houses in order.

^^^ You have succeeded in reading my post upside down but it will do you a world of better understanding if you also read Kobojunkie's contribution.

Nchara:

desgiezd

No one is equating PDP to Nigeria and it is not by force to belong to the PDP. If you do not like PDP's zoning arrangement, go form a party and take power and dispense it as you wish. I am 1000s of miles from the PDP but I respect their arrangement which actually highlights respect and equality for everyone. So form a party and give the presidency to whomsoever you wish if you dislike equity and justice. As far as I know, the other parties are a bunch of ragtag disjointed entities that still have a long way to go putting their houses in order.

What nonsense are you talking about?The guy was making sense .Cant you see that its impossible to take power from PDP ,the system is faulty.I am so sure from your comment that you are one of those rent seekers with no job or enterprise except Nigeria.What is equity and th justice about in PDP?You call the other parties ragtag,even though you know that the level playing field is not equal.

If you contest you must rig inorder to win. If that happens then 2011 elections will be the worse, Forget contesting fix power and conduct a free and fair election. Nigerians will write your name on every wall in their houses and we shall make you the God's sent!!!!!!!!

Why is jonathan scared of pdp zoning arrangement.if he's not pleased with the party,he can go and form his own or decamp to Apga.na by force to contest where you are not accepted ? Arghhh

@bluetooth, when you said jonathan should go and form his own party, i was laughing, did you have senses at all, this was somebody that sent the former chairman packing and appoint the new one. By the way have you ever been able to form an ngo not to talk of party. Carry your ignorance to the zoo as you talk and reason like a tamed wild animal.

My feelings are that most folks started pushing for a Jonathan candidacy for 2011 and the abandoning or altering of the PDP zoning formula for 2011 because of all the noise IBB started making about his plans to run . These sentiments for Jonathan i think are mainly because of IBB's giant shadow and the need for an incumbent to use state machinery to crush it and overrun him in the elections. Methinks that most folks that want Jonathan to run are IBB opponents. If for instance IBB drops out of the race and the North brings out more credible, acceptable and younger candidates like El Ruffai, Umar, Ribadu,etc. wont it be more prudent to sit back and analyse the virtues of the PDP zoning formula for at least another 36 years ie till each of the 6 geo -political zones had ruled for 8 years. I think it is not the best democratic arrangement but the best option so far for a Nation as diverse and mutually suspicious as Nigeria. If this is written into the constitution to ensure mutual compliance by all parties and zones it will not be a bad idea but will go a long way to welding the entity called Nigeria more strongly together and avoid a future apocalypse, bloodbath and eventual failure as predicted by US intelligence. The time is for now the elders of the Nation to sit down and talk reach such a consensus and encourage Jonathan and the National Assembly in a constitution amendment exercise that will engender mutual trust, love and make everybody have a sense of belonging, have a future and hope in Nigeria and go a long way in conquering separatist sentiments and agenda.
With Such a Constitutional arrangement made that is subject to amendment by May 29 2047, we would have taken our destiny in our hands, dealt with mistrust and thwarted the prediction of Nigeria failing by year 2015. We could now go into the full democratic mode or continue for another 48 or 24 years till we have matured as a nation. The American experience in democracy is almost 250 years old and they have gone through developmental stages before this era that a black man can win the presidency without any Affirmative Action of any sort.
Now look at the upside of a non -Jonathan candidacy.
He will have his full attention on governance for one solid year without distractions or politicking, he. would tackle tough national questions like true federalism, electoral reforms, a people's Constitution, an acceptable census, uninterrupted power supply, capacity building and self sustenance in oil and gas, institutionalized infrastructural development and maintenance, sustainability in the corruption war, Independence of the judiciary and Legislative maturity, educational, health and housing ,etc reforms without fear or favour , things OBJ should have tackled in his second term. Above all he will conduct the 2011 elections transparently since like Mandela and perhaps Azikiwe nation-building would be his goal not kingship and by so doing he would have laid a solid foundation for a great and successful Nigeria, midwife-ing the Nigeria of our dreams in the process and so becomes the father of a modern Nigerian state. The time is short but he can set the ball rolling. Who knows whether that is why God brought him to lead Nigeria into her jubilee.

Before they set a limit for when it will end, they have to start it first.

Zoning has not started and the records does not show it has.

Do we want a free fair elections in 2011 or we are just interested in Jonathan ruling? Can Jonathan conduct a free and fair election when he is also a contestant? Is Jonathan the messiah we are waiting for? Please answer these questions yourself.

I have no deal in anybody ruling, Jonathan or a Northerner, except that I am interesting in any deal that will allow all 6 geo-political zones to be able to acess power on an equal basis at specific times. If we agree that Jonathan will be taking the slot of the south south zone in 2011 through to 2019, in a clearly documented rotational presidency plan, then I am game with him.

olas2u:

What nonsense are you talking about?The guy was making sense .Cant you see that its impossible to take power from PDP ,the system is faulty.I am so sure from your comment that you are one of those rent seekers with no job or enterprise except Nigeria.What is equity and th justice about in PDP?You call the other parties ragtag,even though you know that the level playing field is not equal.

Yes the system is faulty and will be even more faulty if Jonathan contests in an election he is interested in. In other countries people demonstrate and get killled trying to correct a faulty system. Get of your butt and hit the street in protest. If you get killed in the process may God (or the devil) receive your soul

Within PDP

Will the entity called NIGERIA still be intact by 2047?

seanet02:

@bluetooth, when you said jonathan should go and form his own party, i was laughing, did you have senses at all, this was somebody that sent the former chairman packing and appoint the new one. By the way have you ever been able to form an ngo not to talk of party. Carry your ignorance to the zoo as you talk and reason like a tamed wild animal.

I wonder why we resort so easily to insults.

Nchara:

Yes the system is faulty and will be even more faulty if Jonathan contests in an election he is interested in. In other countries people demonstrate and get killled trying to correct a faulty system. Get of your butt and hit the street in protest. If you get killed in the process may God (or the devil) receive your soul

Rotflmao

Nchara:

Do we want a free fair elections in 2011 or we are just interested in Jonathan ruling? Can Jonathan conduct a free and fair election when he is also a contestant? Is Jonathan the messiah we are waiting for? Please answer these questions yourself.

I have no deal in anybody ruling, Jonathan or a Northerner, except that I am interesting in any deal that will allow all 6 geo-political zones to be able to acess power on an equal basis at specific times. If we agree that Jonathan will be taking the slot of the south south zone in 2011 through to 2019, in a clearly documented rotational presidency plan, then I am game with him.

it wouldn't cost those ex generals to incite the soldier boys if eventually jonathan contest and win the election.we should drop sentiments and think of consolidating on the peace we've had since 1999.

The North should not have power to 2047 since they have been in control of Nigeria since indepedence. Well there was a short intermittent with Ironsi's regime, but it still has been a long time.

seanet02:

@bluetooth, when you said jonathan should go and form his own party, i was laughing, did you have senses at all, this was somebody that sent the former chairman packing and appoint the new one. By the way have you ever been able to form an ngo not to talk of party. Carry your ignorance to the zoo as you talk and reason like a tamed wild animal.

the former chairman was accused of corruption and he voluntarily resigned.so where did you get your theory that jonathan sacked him from.jonathan was and is still nobody in pdp save for his status for the presidency that he got by luck.what contribution has he rendered to the party in the past.if you doubt that,contact him and let him tell you his registration number.olodo like you.

Good luck with Nigeria still existing in 2047. . . .

Nchara:

People should look beyond 2011. If the North is serious that all zones must taste and chop power at a specific time, then they have my vote. They must endeavour to put it into the country's constitution as soon as possible, working with people from other zones. There must be equality of zones to access to leadership.

naive idi.ot- What makes you think the north will agree to zoning of all  Zones till 2047, If Jonathan himself(a product of zoning) can act as if he doesnt know what Zoning is what do you think the north will do later on fo.olish goat?

Thas just common sense- The north will always trick thirsty-southern idi.ots like you- If a northerner becomes president in 2011- THEY WILL DUMP ZONING AFTERWARDS.

Why in the world will northerners agree to Zoning when they can win in a free and fair election without Zoning?- THE WAY A REAL DEMOCRACY WORKS

Like really what dont most southerners GET?

This is a democracy- theres only majority- not equality. Or in America do you see black, white, chinese and mexicans taking turns being president? NO WTF

Get over it -

seanet02:

@bluetooth, Carry your ignorance to the zoo as you talk and reason like a tamed wild animal.

nay true u talk,

[size=13pt]2011: North may dump PDP if Jonathan wins ticket[/size]

Another source said: "Well, the game plan is that once Jonathan gets the PDP presidential ticket through the power of incumbency, the North will speak with one voice and shift loyalty to a party with a Northern presidential candidate. These decisions are some of the highlights of a six-hour meeting of some Northern leaders on Thursday in Abuja ’

nchara the naive dummy- How do you know that northerners whether pdp or not will stick to this Zoning?

Lemmi tell you the situation-
If theres a
Northern president in 2011 pdp- the presidency then zoned to the SE or SS in 2015, Northerners regardless of party affiliation will most likely vote for a credible northerner from another party.

So stop thinking like a slowpoke- The Only way Zoning can work is if there is rigging in all the elctions- Because you cant force Northerners to vote for a southerner and vice versa without rigging.  

No person would vote for PDP in a free and fair election- unless the candidate is from their geopolitical Zone.

If jonthan doesnt contest in 2011 The WHOLE south wont vote for a notherner or PDP rather their regional parties.

2047 hahaha goodluck with that one. That's if Nigeria will even exist then.

@bluetooth, when you said jonathan should go and form his own party, i was laughing, did you have senses at all, this was somebody that sent the former chairman packing and appoint the new one. By the way have you ever been able to form an ngo not to talk of party. Carry your ignorance to the zoo as you talk and reason like a tamed wild animal.

@seanet02,
if there is anyone carrying ignorance here, it is u. the pdp we all know believed so much on zoning till the death of yar adua.
to me, it is not only going to be geographical zoning but let it be state by state so that all of us will taste this criminal act of looting this nation dry.
jonathan is been used here in destroying and distabilizing a system. the northerners had a gift from the owner of nigeria(obasanjo) and such gift are always on 8 yrs tenure and sometimes demand for third term.
we must always learn to call a spade a spade.
the sacked pdp chairman was a very good man until the day he mentioned the zoning system in the party and a case that has been kept in the freezers since 2001 was opened.
the truth is that they are all criminals and have one or more cases pending and such cases will be opened the day their loyality to the owner of nigeria(obasanjo) becomes suspicious.

I can see that Jonathan's presidential bid is just what the doctor ordered for Nigeria, 40 years after the war.

Never thought this would be so challenging even to the political sages of the north. I'm laughing all the way to the bank.

By the time Jonathan is done, half of Nigeria's problems would be solved.


The Nigeria that will come after Jonathan would amaze and intimidate all the regions which have misruled Nigeria since after the war.

My support for Jonathan is increasing exponentially.

And by the way, I really believe that if Jonathan decides to run and win next year's elections, he can pull it off with relative ease. In fact, Jonathan can rule Nigeria longer than any other previous leaders if he develops the balls.
The presidential system designed by the north, which was never intended to fall into southern hands, makes this possible.
All that Jonathan needs is to "be strong and of good courage". He is strategically positioned by virtue of his office and sectional origin to mold Nigeria any way he chooses.

@chidichris quote;
@seanet02,
if there is anyone carrying ignorance here, it is u. the pdp we all know believed so much on zoning till the death of yar adua.
to me, it is not only going to be geographical zoning but let it be state by state so that all of us will taste this criminal act of looting this nation dry.
jonathan is been used here in destroying and distabilizing a system. the northerners had a gift from the owner of nigeria(obasanjo) and such gift are always on 8 yrs tenure and sometimes demand for third term.
we must always learn to call a spade a spade.
the sacked pdp chairman was a very good man until the day he mentioned the zoning system in the party and a case that has been kept in the freezers since 2001 was opened.
the truth is that they are all criminals and have one or more cases pending and such cases will be opened the day their loyality to the owner of nigeria(obasanjo) becomes suspicious.
i can see you are a pdp member from the north