Former Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu says Nigeria must seek an alternative to the zoning of the presidency, noting that it has failed to achieve its purpose.
He stated this while reacting to Tuesday’s comment by President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura.
The former governor explained that the nation has operated a form of zoning arrangement since the return to democracy in 1999.
However, he lamented that the objectives for which the zoning was adopted have not been achieved.
Aliyu said Daura was therefore right in his comments calling for a shift towards competence in 2023.
“I think what he (Daura) is saying is that after over twenty years, the zoning has rarely produced the best for the country, in the process we are not just producing a Northern president, a Southern president or a possible South East president.
“Whatever system you have, you have an objective to achieve. After over twenty years of zoning arrangements, have we rarely produced the best for the country?.
“We had zoning from 1999 to date because we wanted unity, and we wanted every part of the country to have a sense of belonging.
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“We want Nigeria as one, so the zoning makes it obvious that everybody will be able to participate but has it given us what we wanted.
“For me, I think Mamman Daura is simply saying you have had zoning three times, why do not we look at something else, should not we move to another stage and see what happens because if you said it’s my turn, it does not make you look for that thing.”
He added: “Whether you zone it or not, an election is about the number of votes you are able to gather, so let the people determine what happens in 2023.
“To me, I think society should determine what they want and how to get it,” Aliyu told reporters in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Saturday.
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