Confusion in North about presidency in 2015Niyi Odebode, Fidelis Soriwei, Abuja; and Jude Owuamanam, Jos There are indications that politicians in the northern part of the country are still in confusion about President Goodluck Jonathan's proposed single tenure bill.
President Goodluck Jonathan and Prof. Attahiru Jegacrackcrackcrackcrack
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Investigations by SATURDAY PUNCH showed that the confusion about President Goodluck Jonathan's proposed single tenure bill was threatening northern unity ahead of the 2015 presidential race, which the ruling party would likely zone to the region.
Our correspondents gathered that there had been moves by key politicians in the North, particularly among the Peoples Democratic Party members, to agree on a position on the bill, in spite of the fact that Jonathan has not forwarded it to the National Assembly.
It was learnt the division in the region was worsened by the incessant ethno-religious crises in Jos, Plateau State, where 200 people have died in the past six months.
The northern socio-political group - the Arewa Consultative Forum - had last Sunday expressed concern about the incessant crises in the state.
The group, in a statement by Anthony Sanni, its National Publicity Secretary, had said, "Leadership and all the people should make the most of the God-given diversity by working hard to overcome those differences that divide the people; and in favour of core values of humanity."
But a North-Central group - the Middle Belt Dialogue - said the people of the zone (North-Central) no longer believed in one North, which it describes as an illusion.
The coordinator of the group in Plateau State, Mr. Aminu Zang, in a SATURDAY PUNCH interview in Jos on Friday, said that while the Middle Belt was included as part of the North only for political reasons, "when it comes to the sharing of political offices, the area is hardly remembered."
SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that currently, there were two schools of thought in the North on Jonathan's proposed six-year single tenure for the president and state governors come 2015.
It was gathered that some politicians in the region were of the view that the North's support for the bill should be hinged on Jonathan's non-participation in the 2015 presidential poll as a candidate.
It was, however, learnt that others were calling for the outright rejection of the bill, no matter its contents.
However, a group of politicians in the North - the Northern Political Leaders' Forum - has not commented on the proposed bill.
While the group has remained silent on the bill, two of its leading members had expressed divergent views on it.
A former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, had last August condemned the proposed bill, advising the President to forget the idea.
But former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had said that he would make his position on the bill known after its presentation to the National Assembly.
A prominent member of the NPLF said, "Some have taken a position on the bill in spite of the fact that they have not seen it. They have decided to oppose it simply because it is coming from Jonathan.
"But there are those who believe that they should not throw out the baby with the bath water. They are of the view that the bill should be supported, if it explicitly states that Jonathan will be excluded from the 2015 presidential poll."
However, the NPLF member stated that many northern politicians were unhappy with the ethno-religious crises in the region.
He said, "You will recall that recently there was a clash between the Tiv and Fulani in Benue State. There is no solution yet to the incessant clashes between the Berom and the Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State.
"These crises have affected the unity of the region. The core people of the North must realise that such crises will isolate them from minorities in the region and other ethnic groups in other parts of the country.
"Politicians in all parts of the country have realised that no one can win the Presidency without the support of others. We need to build political bridges that will promote unity in the region and across the country. That is why northern politicians are disturbed about the ethno-religious crises in the region."
According to him, NPLF members and many politicians in the North are determined to ensure unity among the people of the region.
But accusing the far North of double standards, the MBG coordinator said, "We're amused when our brothers from the far North categorise us as being part of them. It's only for political reasons because they have already made a clear demarcation between us and them.
"For instance, why is it that issues relating to the Middle Belt are never taken seriously by the northern elite?
"Take for instance, the crises in the North-East and North-Central. While that of the North-East was taken seriously, that of Plateau (North-Central) is being treated as if it is not a northern problem.
"This is why people like the former governor of Kano State, Senator Kabiru Gaya, could call for a state of emergency in Plateau and not in Borno or Kano, where there had been crises of serious dimension.
"Why did the President ask the Chief of Defence Staff to take over security in Plateau and not in Borno? This time around, we're out for something serious. We're watching closely and keenly.
"We have been used as guinea pigs before when a state of emergency was imposed. We cannot allow that to happen again."
A Muslim from Benue State and former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, said the crisis in Plateau State would further divide the North.
Tsav said, "The situation in Jos is capable of further dividing what remains of the Northern solidarity. It may lead to distrust and tribal animosity among the people of the North."
Tsav advised the government not to treat the crisis with a kid glove, adding that the first set of people arrested during the crisis should have been persecuted by now.
He stated, "That (their prosecution) would have deterred others from fomenting another crisis. But nothing was done and there are people behind those who are carrying out these activities.
"I believe it (the crisis) will further divide the North because all those involved in the violence are from the North.
"Nobody will say he is happy when people are being killed. Everybody will lose confidence in one another." http://odili.net/news/source/2011/sep/18/816.html |
