Zoning: To Be Or Not To Be - Nigerian Politics -
Presidential Race 2011
18 September 2010By Ahmadu Hussaini
With the 2011 polls less than a year away, one can
feel the political tension ventilating in an
atmosphere of grim uncertainty. Arguments are been
traded for or against certain political arrangements,
and neither fate nor chance seem to be involved in any
of these. These are arguments of our own creation and
choice, and whoever wins should accept full
responsibilities or bear great consequences. These are
arguments not about Nigeria or the Nigerian majority
but about certain minority of elites and their
notorious craze for power; arguments about the PDP and
not Nigeria.
The North and those sympathetic to its interest are
seeking to reclaim power after a brief and fateful
interruption. Three years ago when Obasanjo’s PDP
succumbed to the North’s agitation for a northern
presidency, the North was to forsake some of its
brightest contenders in submission to Yar’adua’s fait
accompli. And later on an opportunity presented itself
in the guise of the election tribunal in what was
principally an ‘all northern affair’ and the North
willingly sacrificed the integrity of its most learned
son at the helm of the supreme bench in defense of the
status quo ante. The resulting mess was quite
unbearable for both Yar’adua and Nigeria. While it
cost the life of the former, the latter had to stagger
and scamper aimlessly to make a narrow cross. Will the
PDP now entrust the North with another responsibility
considering the region’s role in the previous impasse
that nearly cost PDP the profiting Nigerian enterprise
if not for the reluctance of a bewildered military? Oh
poor north, how dare thee!
Those on board the Jonathan band wagon are urging him
to continue but to continue with what? Right from the
day that dubious resolution was passed to activate
Jonathan presidential authority he has demonstrated in
deeds and utterances that the prerogative of
presidential authority lies in the power to appoint
and dismiss government officials and not about meeting
the yearnings and aspirations of the deprived
citizenry. His choice, first as a vice presidential
candidate was unworthy considering his previous record
and his ascension to the presidency could not have
been more damning. But it presents him the rare
opportunity to rewrite his unremarkable and
encroaching past or hasten its tragic conclusion. They
may flatter him with names just as the good luck he
seems, or the God sent or the anointed, or the first
Nigeria’s PhD president. But they didn’t tell us the
PhD stuff he is made of when he blundered and parried
before CNN’s Amanpour with great in-articulation and
naivety. Or the PhD stuff he is made of when he gawk
and gawp gleefully and un-president-likely at the
slightest glimmerings of international media camera in
great over-awesomeness to fate. They didn’t tell us
who he is either, meaning; they either have more to
learn or much more to hide. Now how do we go about
zoning?
The Zoning agreement is a power sharing deal by a
party whose contribution to democracy has never been
remarkable. It seeks to limit the fundamental
constitutional right of average Nigerians to political
choice and aspiration. Be that as it may, it appears
to highlight the chasm of distrust within the nation’s
sociopolitical crust that is always veiled within a
veneer of pretense, incompetence and opportunism. If
the PDP decides to rig the next elections as it
usually does and the Nigerian people are unwilling to
stop it then zoning will be the better option for such
a soulless nation and its passive citizens. But if the
PDP intends the contrary and/or the Nigerian public
are unwilling to tolerate any further abuse at their
franchise then zoning is undeserving of such a proud
people and their beloved country. What Nigerians need
is a leader of great competence and sound character
and not someone ready to subscribe to the sentiment of
personality or identity and who may not hesitate to
plunge the nation in to chaos to satisfy his
oligarchical lust.
As for Jonathan Goodluck, the name has done everything
for him. It remains with him to either live to its
decent expectations or got trapped by its very
antithesis. The debris of history is littered with the
remains of men and women so lucky in their various
endeavors and had achieved everything but none before
falling victims to ingratitude, and their end was such
a nemesis that historians had had a hard time
fathoming. Whatever Jonathan is going to decide and
whatever Nigerians are willing to tolerate or risk,
the bottom line is, it’s now or never. May God guide
us. Ahmed Jijo writes from ABU ZARIA.
Ahmadu Hussaini can be reached at ahmadujijow@yahoo.com
©
EsinIslam.Com
Add Comments