Edwin Clark, elder statesman and
leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has responded to the comment by
Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s older nephew, on zoning the
presidency.
Daura, in an interview, had said
competence, rather than zoning, should be prioritised for government positions.
However, while featuring as a
guest on Democracy Today, a programme on AIT which aired on Wednesday, Clark
countered Daura’s stance on zoning.
According to the elder statesman,
Daura shouldn’t have a say in such matters as zoning, as he didn’t have much
experience in politics.
“I’m not surprised at the
principle statement by Mamman Daura. He has no political background; he hasn’t
held any office in this country; he doesn’t belong to any political party, so
he has not got any political experience,” Clark said.
“The main fact that he is
permanently a resident in Aso Rock as adviser to his uncle is not enough for
him to make irresponsible statement that could jeopardise the unity of this
country.
“To jettison zoning is looking
for chaotic situation in this country and there will be no one Nigeria, united
Nigeria because no one will be a slave to the others.”
Clark maintained that any move to
reject zoning would not reflect positively on ensuring unity in the country.
“I met him (Daura) for the first
time in my life, now he has a privilege of residing permanently in Aso Rock,
being the leader of the cabal, being the man who is advising. What is he
advising?” he asked.
“No one prevents him from being a
nephew to his uncle, Muhammadu Buhari, from advising him on family matters. He
has no right to stay permanently without any official appointment in Aso Rock
and thereby having the privilege of enjoying the government activities.
“Now he doesn’t want rotation to
continue. Let me say this: nobody is a fool; who’s fooling who in this country?
“Every region in this country has
people with reputation, capable, intelligent and are today wasting away because
some people what to be the overlord of this country.
“So, if we want to have a united
Nigeria and practise true democracy, there must be a rotation of the presidency
between the north and south.
“Who are they now to say that
they are rejecting rotation in the favour of competence? Are they more
competent than any other Nigerian in one place?
“The solution is that when Buhari
leaves, let the rotation go to the south as recommended by the national
conference. We must have a united Nigeria based on equality, otherwise there
will be no Nigeria.”
Several groups including Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural group, have also rejected Daura’s call to
jettison zoning.
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