Leaders of thought below the aegis of the Southern and Center Belt Alliance have faulted the assertion credited to the Northern Governors Discussion board concerning energy rotation and declared that it was able to fuelling secessionist agitations within the nation.
The group gave the warning in a press release signed by its Spokesman Rwang Pam and made obtainable to our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.
It’s titled, “Your assertion on 2023 Presidency will gas agitations for division, SAMBA warns northern governors.”
SAMBA famous that even supposing there was no categorical provision for zoning within the Structure, however that Part 14(3) explicitly offers for distribution of places of work within the composition of presidency within the nation.
It, subsequently, expressed its disapproval for any try by any area to dominate different areas.
A part of the assertion learn, “SAMBA subsequently warned the Northern Governors Discussion board that any additional try by the northern area to retain energy in 2023 will defeat the aim of a united Nigeria the place each man and area’s proper to rule is equal and can endanger the already fragile unity of the nation.
“The current assertion credited to the Northern Governors Discussion board that energy shift is unconstitutional is an try to face historical past on its head and will gas separatist agitations within the nation.
“The part of the Structure referenced by the northern governors solely refers back to the necessities for somebody to be declared as elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, however the related constitutional provision for energy rotation is part 14(3) which explicitly offers for the unfold of political places of work within the nation to stop one ethnic group or area from dominating the others for the sake of peace and unity within the nation.
“Part 14(3) states: The composition of the Authorities of the Federation or any of its businesses and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a way as to replicate the federal character of Nigeria and the necessity to promote nationwide unity, and in addition to command nationwide loyalty, thereby making certain that there shall be no predominance of individuals from a couple of States or from a couple of ethnic or different sectional teams in that Authorities or in any of its businesses.
“Subsequently, it’s opposite to the letter and spirit of the Structure and a hazard to the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the core North to spend eight years in workplace as and nonetheless be considering of looking for one other eight years.
“Nigerians are conscious, that after former President Olusegun Obasanjo accomplished his 8-year time period in 2007, the South unanimously agreed for the Northern Nigeria to supply the President. In 2007, the South didn’t cry that zoning is unconstitutional, and President Obasanjo duly handed over Energy to a northerner, the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“It’s also public information that former President Goodluck Jonathan misplaced the 2015 Presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari partly due to the worldwide sentiment, that it was the flip of the North to supply the President, though Dr Goodluck Jonathan had solely spent one time period in workplace as elected president.
“Subsequently, it’s not within the curiosity of the nation for the North to carry onto energy in 2023; as a result of doing so will probably be to the detriment of the already fragile unity of the nation and extra prone to result in a rise of separatist actions throughout the nation.
“The place of the Center Belt area is categorically clear, that it agrees with the remainder of Nigerians, that the South ought to produce the president in 2023.”
“We subsequently unequivocally advise the Northern Governors Discussion board to perish the considered holding onto energy in 2023 and the identical applies to the varied political events (APC, PDP, or every other celebration) to bury the considered zoning the Presidency to the North.
“We additional advise the governors of the 15 states the place the center belt ethnic nationalities represent the dominant inhabitants, that any governor from the Center Belt that supported the notion that energy ought to stay with the Northern area is just not reflecting the views of their folks.
Within the spirit of equity, ethical justice, nationwide peace and fairness, SAMBA stands with the vast majority of Nigerians: energy should shift to the South!”
