By Duke Igwillo

The history of Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation would not be complete without the mention of Dr Alex Ekwueme. The seasoned architect and multidisciplinary degree holder was founder and chairman of the Institute of Civil Society, an organisation that midwifed the emergence of the G34. The history of G34 and the formation of the ruling party (PDP) in Nigeria (the Peoples Democratic Party) are all well known.

So much has been said about Ekwueme and the issue of rotational presidency in Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, it was Ekwueme’s minority report recommendation at the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference that led to the emergence of the now widely accepted six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

During the Abacha regime, it was also Ekwueme’s initiative that led to the 1994/95 conference recommendation that the presidency should have a single tenure of 5 years rotating amongst the six geopolitical zones for an initial period of 30 years, during which time all the zones would have had a shot at the presidency. After this initial 30 year period of national formation, the popular democratic ideals should have been instilled in Nigerians to ensure understanding of the need for the best candidate irrespective of geopolitical zone, to emerge as president. This 1995 Constitution did not see the light of day as the General Abdulsalam Abubakar government revised the 1979 Constitution and handed it over to Olusegun Obasanjo as the 1999 Constitution.

In the first term of Obasanjo’s presidency, Ekwueme again suggested a single term model in order to kickstart the initial democratic transition era which would last for 24 years rotating among the six zones. But alas Obasanjo wanted a second term very badly and gleefully accepted that his two terms (eight years) should be followed by eight years of a northern presidency. Hence in 2003, Ekwueme proposed to have an Ekwueme / Atiku ticket in which he would steer the ship of state for about 3 years and resign on his 74th birthday in October 2006 to pave the way for Atiku to contest the next election in 2007 as an incumbent with a South-South vice presidential candidate. In the same spirit, Atiku would resign his position after about 3 years to give the South-South vice presidential candidate the opportunity of standing for election as an incumbent president. This Ekwueme believed would go round the six geopolitical zones after which election to all positions would be on the basis of the best presidential candidate, that is, strictly on merit.

I have taken the liberty of narrating the above historical facts due to the recent distortion of Ekwueme’s view by some politicians who want to score cheap political points by tainting his image. Ekwueme is a true nationalist who once stated: “I have always dreamed of achieving a Nigeria in which every ethnic nationality melts into one nation rather than “a mere geographical expression”. Indeed, I wanted to make Nigeria truly a nation, instead of a mere country where each ethnic group would be fighting for its sole benefit”.

Did Ekwueme support Jonathan’s candidacy? The simple answer to this question is yes. Ekwueme stated in the early days of the debate about Jonathan’s candidacy that it would be preposterous for a sitting president who is qualified for election not to stand for the election. By this statement Ekwueme actually encouraged Jonathan to stand in the PDP presidential primaries. That said, Ekwueme’s position on rotation as a panacea for national integration remains unchanged.

In his original zoning arrangement as proposed and promoted, there was no provision for the death of a sitting president. This means that the death of Umaru Yar’Adua in office required readjustment of the rotation timetable.

In the build-up to the party primaries, there were suggestions that Ekwueme was supporting Atiku because some of his associates were working for Atiku. The truth is that Atiku’s candidature in the primaries was a clear indication of the maturity of the Nigerian political class and Atiku should be commended, as he made the presidential primaries of the PDP not only credible but also competitive. Dr Ekwueme had only one vote as a delegate and to all intents and purposes he could have voted for either Atiku or Jonathan. As elder statesman and founder of the PDP, he does not owe any apology to any person or group for his personal preference for any of the candidates. However his commitment to the principle of integration in Nigeria based on compromise, accommodation and tolerance should not be forgotten.

I would end this piece with his statement: “I will like to revel in our diversity, respect it, celebrate it and enjoy it. To revel in it we must believe that our common humanity is more important than the things which make us different”.

Thank God Ekwueme is not one of the so-called ‘free style’ politicians who can do anything to remain relevant in Nigerian politics. He believes in something and actually put his life at risk for those things he believes in. Even if he is misunderstood today, at least he stands for something.

Duke Igwilo is the Director-General of the Alex Ekwueme Foundation.

Very nice article

I have always had utmost respect for Alex Ekwueme, and it is unfortunate that he was rigged out/ out-maneuvered during the 2003 PDP primaries.

A very unassuming personality.

I think he is a patriot, no doubt. One of the very few people competent men from the SE.

Good analysis. Loads of assertions. No backup sources.