*Parleys Northern Political Leaders*
Front-line politician in Imo State, Orikeze Vitalis Ajumbe, has given reasons why he backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, views that merit rather than zoning should be the yardstick for electing the next President of Nigeria in 2023.
The former Commissioner had also recently embarked on consultations with key political leaders in the North where he held strategic meetings on the nation’s unity and progress.
Among those consulted include Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji (Dr) Balarabe Musa, former Presidential hopeful, Alhaji Othman Tofa, former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Sani Yerima, and others
Ajumbe while aligning with Daura’s views, said zoning has destroyed good governance in Nigeria
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Ajumbe made it clear that zoning was a major factor why the nation is suffering.
The former Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in Imo State, one of the legacy parties that formed the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, said zoning breeds mediocrity against meritocracy.
He said zoning is also anti democratic, stating that though power has been rotating between the North and the South, what the nation needs is good governance, irrespective of where the person comes from.
“The argument is that the North has not equaled the South. South had 14 years and North 10 years, in doctrine of necessity, the North may be right.
“What we need is good governance irrespective of where the person comes from. I don’t really cherish zoning because what destroyed Nigeria is this zoning thing, why can’t we really go round and get who can govern Nigeria very well. Look at the Abiola time, we had Muslim Muslim ticket, we want that kind of spirit now, zoning breeds mediocrity, it will not give Nigeria what it wants. Let’s allow merit to play, merit will play when we have a good system.
Reacting to a question if his position does not counter the clamour for a Nigerian President of South East extraction, Ajumbe admitted that the South East has qualified people to occupy the Presidency, but noted that the region is not united for the project.
He expressed regret that division among the political class will not allow the zone to produce the nation’s president.
Ajumbe said ” The Igbos are not united. They will fight themselves. An Anambra man will not want another person outside Anambra State to succeed. Who is the rallying point. The only thing I can say that we need is the Vice Presidency, then we can start talking of a rallying point”