- Burna Boy’s Police Escorts Shoot Married Man After Singer Made Pass At Wife - June 12, 2022
- I’m Ashamed Of Ohanaeze, No Longer Believe In Body – Umahi Attacks Obiozor - June 12, 2022
- June 12: President Buhari’s Democracy Day Speech - June 12, 2022
Prof Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, has advocated for the return of power to the south in 2023 in fairness to other regions of the country.
Zulum frowned at the sentiment that any part of the country could not be trusted with power, because of fear of succession.
This was contained in his speech at the 17th Chief Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch in commemoration of the life of late Fawehinmi.
The event was themed, ‘The constitutional history of Nigeria’s dysfunction: Any pathway to indivisibility and common progress?’
The Borno State governor stressed that of the bedrocks to sustainable growth was fairness to all in the country.
He said, “I’m persuaded that other sections of the country should be given the opportunity to lead in 2023, why not? It is constitutional.”
Zulum, who cited the criteria set by the constitution for anyone to contest the Presidency, as contained in Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), asked all the persons from the South-East and South-South at the event to rise. He then told them that once they met the four conditions stated in the Section, they were also qualified to contest the presidency.
The section reads, “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty years; (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
Speaking on he said, “We need to understand that pedestrian suspicion is not an empirical or legal reason to deny any section of the country from participation in the leadership of this country. We are fast moving towards a point of inevitable tension.
“One of the loudest concerns from the public is marginalisation. Therefore, we must as a matter of necessity create an environment that is conducive for everyone.”
He adviced the people of the South-east to negotiate for power rather than expect others to hand it over to them.
He said, “To our friends and brothers in the South-South and South-East particularly, only God gives power but you have to negotiate for power. Negotiation becomes easier when you make friends across the divide. If we negotiate for power, we don’t always get everything we want, but we will normally mention every clause that covers everything we need.
“I said this because I have heard many people say ‘they don’t want to give us power’ but assumptions and projections will never actualise your aspirations. We must all remember that God gives power but human beings negotiate for it.”
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.