The apex Igbo socio-cultural and political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has lashed out at Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello over his recent comment in which he rejected rotational presidency.
Anaedoonline.ng recalls Governor Bello had rejected the zoning of the 2023 presidency to the south as advocated by governors from the southern region.
According to him, rotational presidency is not recognized by the 1999 constitution and Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leader.
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Governor Bello made the submission on Friday while addressing journalists at the First Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Correspondents held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
He argued that rotational presidency can’t solve the problems of Nigeria but a capable leader can lead the country to its best destination regardless of tribal affiliation.
However, Ohanaeze in a response on Monday via a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia told the Governor that he was still studying accountancy at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria when an agreement was reached between the North and the South with respect to rotational presidency.
The group urged the Kogi governor not to abuse the fact that fate smiled on him and he got political power in 2015 at such a young age.
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“There is no doubt that Bello has a date with destiny going by a smooth political ascendancy that life has presented to him,” the group stated.
It expressed fears that the youthful governor “is embarking on a political adventure that lacks both conscience and principle.”
Taking the Governor to the cleaners over his statement, Ohanaeze disclosed that: “Governor Bello was still a student, studying accountancy at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria when an agreement was reached between the North and the South with respect to Rotational Presidency.
“The meeting was held at the National University Commission Conference Centre, Abuja in 1998. Dr.Chuba Okadigbo spoke on behalf of the South while Alh. Abubakar Rimi spoke for the North. The likes of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, etc were at the meeting.
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“The Nigerian statesmen examined the merits and demerits of zoning and rotation of power between the composite zones in Nigeria. At the end, it was resolved that the presidency be conceded to the South and that it would rotate between the South and the North in the interest of equity, unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.”
It added, “the foregoing was the basis for the emergence of presidential candidates of the mainstream political parties from the South West in 1999. Since then, the patriotic and peace-loving Nigerians have adhered to the rotation principle such that at the end of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo second tenure, President Musa Yar’Adua was elected; Goodluck Jonathan and then President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Ohanaeze explained further that the recent demand by the southern governors for the 2023 presidency to be ceded to the south is in line with the rotational agreement between the north and south and therefore called on Governor Bello to support the position of his colleagues.
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