Tension in Nigeria over zoning, power rotation

By Akpo Ometan

Palpable tension has gripped the Nigerian political space over questions of zoning and ensuring power rotation to the South of the country in the wake of the imminent end of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency, The Difference reports.

A Northerner, President Muhammadu Buhari had succeeded former President Goodluck Jonathan, a Southerner, who had in turn succeeded Umaru Yar Adua, another Northerner.

On his part Yar Adua had been preceded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Southerner, who had taken over the reins of government at the apex after the military Presidency of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Given this fairly established cycle of power rotation, which in itself correlates the constitutional provision for reflecting the principle of federal character in the distribution of positions and appointments, many had hoped that almost quite naturally, the presidential candidates of at least the two major political parties in the country would almost naturally come from the South. However, clashing interests and ambitions have presently led to a muddled field in which this expectation is being threatened.

Responding to the issue on Tuesday, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu cautioned the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC to not do anything that would put the nation on the boil, arguing that the path of honour lay in zoning power to the South.

Similar concerns have been raised by the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Southern and Middle Belt Assembly, SAMBA.

Southern candidates in the race include Governor Peter Obi, ex-CBN Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr. Peter Obi