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The apex Igbo and Yoruba socio-political groups in Nigeria on Wednesday chided Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew over his remark on the zoning of presidency in 2023.
The groups – Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere in different interviews on Wednesday said Buhari was a beneficiary of zoning in 2015 when he emerged the country’s president.
They said Buhari was not the most qualified for the position if he were to be judged based on merit as Daura posited, given his handling of the country’s affairs.
In line with Daura’s submission, pan-northern socio-political organistion, the Arewa Consultative Forum, said the country’s constitution does not recognize zoning.
Daura in an interview with Hausa Service of the BBC, on Tuesday said the presidency had rotated thrice in Nigeria.
He stated, “This turn-by-turn, it was done once, it was done twice, and it was done thrice… It is better for this country to be one…it should be for the most competent and not for someone who comes from somewhere.”
But Chief Nnia Nwodo, President Gneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a stamen through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Emeka Attamah, said the comment by Daura was out of selfish interest.
According to the statement, Buhari came into power in 2015 because the North felt they had been deprived of their turn.
Attamah stated, “Having benefited enormously, he now wants zoning jettisoned because it is the turn of the south.
Buhari wasn’t the most competent – Ohanaeze
“Talking about competence or the most qualified, was President Buhari the most qualified Nigerian when he ascended the Presidency?
“Has he proved to be the most competent? Are the service chiefs the most competent among their colleagues to warrant their being retained beyond their tenure?
“Obviously, no, because occurrences in the country since he became President and Commander-in-Chief have proved him to be incompetent.
“Now that it is the turn of the South, precisely the South-East, he is mouthing the most qualified and competent. Equity is a constant flagship for peace and good governance. Without it, there will be continued agitation and crisis.”
Calling for fairness, he asked, “By the way, who determines the most qualified or competent candidate?”
Buhari’s govt, most incompetent – Afenifere
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere in its submission said Daura should have asked for abandonment of zoning in 2015 when his uncle, Buhari sought for power.
Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary of the group in an interview said, “He (Daura) should have developed the competency idea before 2015, if he meant well. What he is doing now is what is called knowing how to keep the meat in the mouth and not seeing it again.
“Any idea of doing away with zoning without going back to federalism will not work. We know that they were referring to the Jonathan administration as incompetent, but this administration is the most incompetent this country has ever seen. Competence is having the necessary ability and knowledge.”
The South-South Elders Forum weighed in through its National Coordinator, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe who said Daura could not decide for Nigeria the modality for electing the next president.
He said, “Buhari became President because of the North and South zoning. So if Buhari is incompetent, Mamman Daura should tell Nigerians that his uncle is incompetent.”
Asked what his opinion of competence is, Sara-Igbe said, “For us in the South, we have produced the best. When a South-South President was there, (making a reference to Dr Goodluck Jonathan) Nigeria’s economy was number one and we saw relative peace in the nation.”
Source: Punch
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.