The clamour for PDP to respect its zoning agreement has turn to a national issue that even non- party members are involved. The leadership of PDP has not done enough or even worked toward protecting the rights and interest of North and Northerners that are its card carrying members. Why can’t they tell President Goodluck Jonathan that he cannot contest on its platform if he still insists on contesting the 2011 elections?
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Monday, 23 August 2010
PDP, NORTH AND 2011 ELECTIONS
The clamour for PDP to respect its zoning agreement has turn to a national issue that even non- party members are involved. The leadership of PDP has not done enough or even worked toward protecting the rights and interest of North and Northerners that are its card carrying members. Why can’t they tell President Goodluck Jonathan that he cannot contest on its platform if he still insists on contesting the 2011 elections?
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Jonathan And His Enemies
It all started like a dream , late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua was hospitalized, Jonathan became Acting President and when he died (Yar'adua)even before his corpse left Aso Rock for burial Jonathan was sworn – in as President. As he settle to work so as to try his best in solving Nigeria's numerous problems, godfathers , praise singers and opportunist distracted him by encouraging him to discard the PDP's gentleman agreement on power zoning and rotation which he himself was a witness to the agreement as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan seem to be attempting to miss the great and golden opportunity to be among the greatest men in the world courtesy of conducting a free and fair election that he is not a participant. The cabal that surrounded him held him hostage, and retinues of money seekers in the names of Goodluck Jonathan for President 2011 are all over his pockets to try to get what they can.
Jonathan is surrounded by men and women that envy him and may be scheming to destroy his name, reputation, prestige and dignity. If not, why can't they sincerely advise him to shelve his presidential ambition to some distant future? Already there is an agreement which every noble and respected person usually fulfills his part. And those campaigning for him have already sold him wrongly using tribe, region and religion which led to overheating the polity. Even the sellers of Jonathan project for 2011 are people of questionable character, jesters and have failed in all previous projects they champion for late General Sani Abacha's live presidency and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's third term, and does President Jonathan have the kind of money that can satisfy their thirst for naira in championing his cause?
We already have a tradition in this country that it is not honorable for any one occupying presidential office when his principal is dead to contest for elections. General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979 can contest as the Nigerian constitution did not stop him but he decided to fulfill the promise of his principal late General Murtala Muhammed. General Abdulsalam Abubakar also did not contest in 1999 after General Sani Abacha died, his principal even as he can transform himself, but instead he followed the path of honour and handed over power to Obasanjo. Is there any constitutional provision that stops Obasanjo in 1979 and Abubakar in 1999 from contesting? Like Obasanjo 1979, Abubakar 1999, will Jonathan 2011 who his principal also died with his party zoning the presidency to North for 8 years honour the agreement and refuse the temptation to hold on to power ?
2011 scheming have occupied President Jonathan that if he leaves office next year he can hardly pin –point any achievements of his administration. Unemployment, Insecurity, roads that are death traps, corruption, ill-equip hospitals and poorly motivated doctors etc are increasing by the day. Workers are not paid their salaries and in some cases more than two years and yet he can spend billions on festivities and presidential jets ! Like previous governments, Jonathan's administration did not make any difference. And to be candid and frank, Nigerians are tired of Jonathan led administration. Nigerians are praying and hoping that it will come to an end by May next year.
President Goodluck Jonathan has already exposed himself and all political calculations predict his defeat woefully at the poll come 2011 if he decides to contest. From his state of origin Bayelsa to other parts of the country there's no state he can confidently boast that he can win in a free and fair election.
Will President Jonathan listen to wise counsels of Nigerians that he should respect his party zoning agreement? And he should stop over heating the polity by his presidential ambition. Already due to Jonathan's ambition, Nigerians are now dividing along religious, tribal and regional lines.
And if President Jonathan has confidence of what he is doing is right about contesting for presidency come 2011, why is he handling it like the way late Abacha did on Tazarce (Tenure elongation) and Obasanjo on third term? It is not late for President Jonathan to disassociate himself from all campaigns for his continuity in office and to declare those that refuse to stop as enemies. Nigeria is above our personal interest and its peaceful co-existence is the most important. A word is enough for the wise.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan seem to be attempting to miss the great and golden opportunity to be among the greatest men in the world courtesy of conducting a free and fair election that he is not a participant. The cabal that surrounded him held him hostage, and retinues of money seekers in the names of Goodluck Jonathan for President 2011 are all over his pockets to try to get what they can.
Jonathan is surrounded by men and women that envy him and may be scheming to destroy his name, reputation, prestige and dignity. If not, why can't they sincerely advise him to shelve his presidential ambition to some distant future? Already there is an agreement which every noble and respected person usually fulfills his part. And those campaigning for him have already sold him wrongly using tribe, region and religion which led to overheating the polity. Even the sellers of Jonathan project for 2011 are people of questionable character, jesters and have failed in all previous projects they champion for late General Sani Abacha's live presidency and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's third term, and does President Jonathan have the kind of money that can satisfy their thirst for naira in championing his cause?
We already have a tradition in this country that it is not honorable for any one occupying presidential office when his principal is dead to contest for elections. General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979 can contest as the Nigerian constitution did not stop him but he decided to fulfill the promise of his principal late General Murtala Muhammed. General Abdulsalam Abubakar also did not contest in 1999 after General Sani Abacha died, his principal even as he can transform himself, but instead he followed the path of honour and handed over power to Obasanjo. Is there any constitutional provision that stops Obasanjo in 1979 and Abubakar in 1999 from contesting? Like Obasanjo 1979, Abubakar 1999, will Jonathan 2011 who his principal also died with his party zoning the presidency to North for 8 years honour the agreement and refuse the temptation to hold on to power ?
2011 scheming have occupied President Jonathan that if he leaves office next year he can hardly pin –point any achievements of his administration. Unemployment, Insecurity, roads that are death traps, corruption, ill-equip hospitals and poorly motivated doctors etc are increasing by the day. Workers are not paid their salaries and in some cases more than two years and yet he can spend billions on festivities and presidential jets ! Like previous governments, Jonathan's administration did not make any difference. And to be candid and frank, Nigerians are tired of Jonathan led administration. Nigerians are praying and hoping that it will come to an end by May next year.
President Goodluck Jonathan has already exposed himself and all political calculations predict his defeat woefully at the poll come 2011 if he decides to contest. From his state of origin Bayelsa to other parts of the country there's no state he can confidently boast that he can win in a free and fair election.
Will President Jonathan listen to wise counsels of Nigerians that he should respect his party zoning agreement? And he should stop over heating the polity by his presidential ambition. Already due to Jonathan's ambition, Nigerians are now dividing along religious, tribal and regional lines.
And if President Jonathan has confidence of what he is doing is right about contesting for presidency come 2011, why is he handling it like the way late Abacha did on Tazarce (Tenure elongation) and Obasanjo on third term? It is not late for President Jonathan to disassociate himself from all campaigns for his continuity in office and to declare those that refuse to stop as enemies. Nigeria is above our personal interest and its peaceful co-existence is the most important. A word is enough for the wise.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
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