•Northern Govs: Jonathan, others free to contest
•Zoning is unconstitutional, says FG
Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna & Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja
THOUSANDS of youths who planned to express their position on the controversial zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Kaduna venue of the meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum were stopped yesterday by security agents.
The youth had planned to invade the Sir Kassim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital, venue of the meeting, but were checkmated by armed men of the state security outfit, code-named Operation Yaki.
According to them, they had thought that the 19 governors would declare their support for the rumoured presidential bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, but the forum said it did not take any stand on it.
On Monday, a group - Coalition of Northern Youths - led by Mr. Ibrahim Waya, a lawyer, had threatened to disrupt the meeting over what he called the governors’ stand on the zoning formula of the ruling PDP.
Following this and sensing danger, the state police command and the directorate of the State Security Services (SSS) convened a meeting with the angry youth during which an agreement was reached that due to the volatile nature of the state, they should send a 25-man delegation to the governors’ meeting to present their position on zoning.
The development sent jitters down the spine of the government, hence, the deployment of several truck-loads of Operation Yaki men to the venue of the meeting.
Besides cordoning-off the venue of the meeting, men of the outfit also took over the two roundabouts on Sokoto Road, which leads to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
Besides, the police command also stationed an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in front of the Government House.
Elsewhere in the metropolis, policemen were watching over the people.
Also, yesterday, another dimension was added to the struggle for or against zoning, as some Niger Delta militants stormed Kaduna State in solidarity with the Northern youth.
Led by the National Co-ordinator of the South-South Liberation Movement, “Commander” John Adie, the militants warned the PDP not to push the nation into conflagration, saying that the party should adhere to the zoning formula.
The militants, who displayed banners with inscriptions, such as “Northern youths stand on zoning - Northern delegate”, Amnesty programme was brought by Northern leaders -South-South delegate” and “Don’t mortgage our future - South-East delegate”, at the venue of their meeting with the Arewa Consultative Youth Forum, held at the Zakaria Presidential Hotel on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western bye-pass, Kaduna, said that if Jonathan was desperate in contesting the forthcoming presidential election, “he should leave the PDP to contest on the platform of other political parties”, instead of heating up the polity with zoning or no zoning controversy.
Said Adie: “The issue of the Presidency really bothered us and we decided to come together to seek the way forward. We met in Enugu and the Niger Delta and this time around, we decided to come to the North to discuss this matter.
“We don’t want war. The elders who are tired now will soon die. They should allow us to live our own lives. Nobody should decide for us. This is the essence of this meeting today. If I have an agreement with you, whether written or unwritten or legal or not legal, I think natural justice demands that you respect that agreement because the law of Karma will catch up with you if you don’t respect that agreement.
“If I have my way, I will say President Jonathan is a young man, he should go and run for the election. If you enter into an agreement, you must respect that agreement, unless the ruling PDP say they are no longer party to the agreement.
“If Jonathan is desperate to contest the election, he should leave the party that took the wrong decision and go to another party and contest. But to say he will get the presidency fraudulently after signing an agreement is wrong. Respect agreements. Let me ask, what has the PDP done to Nigeria? Nothing.”
Meanwhile, a source at the venue of the meeting told the Nigerian Compass that the governors may hands off the issue of zoning to allow the ruling party decide.
“Zoning is a political party’s matter and it should be allowed to settle the matter,” said the source.
Addressing his colleagues, the Chief Servant of Niger State and Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu, said that they were not at the meeting to endorse any candidate for the 2011 presidential election.
According to him, they only met to discuss the myriad problems confronting the region, such as unemployment, poverty and the collapse of its industries.
Rather than make a categorical stand on the issue of zoning, which Aliyu argued was purely a party affair, he said the governors must deliberate on national matters and “take responses from the states” as regards zoning.
The chairman refuted media reports that some states in the zone had endorsed Jonathan for 2011, saying Jonathan and others are free to contest the elections.
He said: “My fellow colleagues, I am delighted to welcome you to this meeting which should have been held on July 22, 2010, but rescheduled to today, July 27, 2010 because of some unforeseen circumstances, not in any way connected with the inconclusive decision on zoning or rotation of political offices, as was widely speculated in sections of the media.
“You will recall that we took a position that we should go and consult widely with the people in our states to collect their views on the issue of zoning or rotation of political offices in the next general elections.
“It is amazing to note the intensity of the debates on the issue across the length and breadth of this country. That is a healthy trend in our political evolution for whatever happens at the end of it all, Nigeria must go on as one indivisible great nation.
“Overall, national interest must be our guiding principle, while negotiating equitably for better life for our people, who seem to be short-changed in the federal system.
“At today’s crucial meeting, we shall take responses from the states and I believe that we shall all be bound by what the people say on the matter, because we are only the elected representatives, who Allah has saddled with the responsibility of providing leadership and taking the difficult decision in their best interest.
“While we must respect the fundamental rights of the people to hold express opinions, may I urge that we should always put the interest and the future of the nation first in everything we do or say, no matter the circumstances.
“I believe that we have agreed that we shall be binded by the decision of a simple majority for the sake of our unity and progress of our people.
“There is no doubt, the issue at stake, zoning or rotation principle, has turned out to be one of the most contentious issues in recent political history. However, we must remember that...Allah (SWT) has now put the responsibility on our shoulders to chart a proper course for the unity, progress and development of our nation for the improved wellbeing of the present and future generation of Nigerians.
“Indeed, to many of us, the issue is not simply the issue of zoning/rotation as is being hyped but rather, the issue of integrity, honesty and discipline. It is also an issue of good governance, the issue of equity intertwined by pragmatism.
“We must, therefore, be courageous in taking wise decisions in negotiating properly and sincere in our determined effort to get Nigeria working properly.
“This, indeed, is a defining moments for us as a people and as a nation, when history and posterity judge us for whatever position we may take. I, therefore, urge each one of us to be honest, sincere patriotic and God-fearing in presenting our positions and those of our people on the issue, while we leave the future to God Almighty, the all knowing, the most compassionate and master strategist so that our nation will endure to take its right place in the comity of nations.
“Let me conclude by reminding us that ordinarily, the issue at stake (zoning) is a political party issue, which should be determined by the political party and whatever position is taken should ordinarily be obeyed by party members, once due process is followed.”
In one of the position papers to the governors by the Arewa Youth Development Foundation, entitled: The Northern Youth/Students: Our Stance on Zoning/Rotational Presidency, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Compass, they said that they had planned to hold a protest rally within the Kaduna metropolis to register their defiance to some politicians they described as “cash and carry politicians” who are bent in mortgaging their future, adding that based on the advice by security agencies in the state, they decided to shelve their planned protest.
They insisted on the retention of the zoning/rotation of political offices in the country, urging the governors to look into the matter with an open and objective mind, “devoid of sentimental judgements geared towards aiding your personal political goals”.
The position paper was signed by the President of the foundation, Abubakar Aminu Kaurawa; Secretary, Arewa Citizen Action for Change, Aminu Adam; PRO, Northern Youth Assembly, Peter Moses; Chairman, Arewa Students Forum, Terkula Viashima and Chairman, Joint-Protest Organising Committee, N.A. Shariff.
The paper reads in part: “Your excellencies, it is no gainsaying that today is a special day for the Northern Governors’ Forum and the entire populace of the North , whose lives, rights and privileges God in His infinite mercy and wisdom placed in your collective hands to defend.
“Today (yesterday) is a special day because you will make public your position, as regards to whether the presidential seat is to be zoned to the North.
“It is pertinent at this juncture to bring to your notice that this same day, certain number of Arewa youths and student organisations intended to hold a protest within the Kaduna metropolis in order to register our defiance, especially referring to the attempt of some cash and carry politicians, who are resolute to compromise the interest and dignity of the Northern people in their quest for material benefits in the fourthcoming presidential election.
“However, we were rightly advised by the security agencies in the state to resort to delivering a message of this nature to you , bearing in mind the volatile nature of the state.
“Although not by our own design, we decided to use this medium in conveying this very crucial message to you that the youth of this part of the country, who are represented here by various (Arewa youth organisations) endorse in totality the need for the retention of zoning principle in our national issue.”
Also, a group, the Northern Solidarity Group, yesterday hailed the position of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State over zoning.
In a statement signed by its leaders, Auwal Mohammed (President) and Rabe Halidu (Secretary), and made available to reporters in Kaduna, it described as unfortunate the decision of some disgruntled politicians in Adamawa State to cause confusion based on the position taken by the state as regards zoning or rotation.
The group said: “Our attention has been drawn to the recent political development in Nigeria and in particular, in Adamawa State, following the emergence of some disgruntle and false democrats, who parade themselves as champion of democracy in order to cause chaos in the polity with different slogans and champaign, calling on the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan to renege the gentleman agreement entered into between the North and the South in 1998.
“Governor Nyako’s position is clear that the North be allowed to conclude its second term to rule till 2015 as part of the bargain entered in 1998 and 2002.”
Based on the crucial nature of the meeting, all the 19 northern governors were in attendance.
They include Aliyu, Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno), Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (Zamfara), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi) and Magartakada Wammako (Sokoto).
Meanwhile, rising from the meeting, the governors issued a communique read by Aliyu.
The communiqué says: “The special meting of the Northern Governors’ Forum was held sequence to the resolve during its meeting of July 1, 2010, to allow members go back for wider consultations with stakeholders for the unity and progress of Northern states within the context of a united Nigeria on the zoning of the position of the President before eventually taking a position on the matter.
“The forum then noted that the desired wider consultations with stakeholders had taken place and various positions had been taken by the respective states.
“The Northern Governors’ Forum, after collating the reports from all the 19 Northern states and after exhaustive deliberations, recognises the following: The supremacy of the 1999 Constitution as encapsulated in Section One.
“The provision of Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution, which states the qualification of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Arising from the above, therefore, the forum acknowledges the right of President Goodluck Jonathan and indeed any other Nigerian to legitimately and constitutionally contest for the office of the President.
“On zoning, the forum recognises the fact that the issue of zoning is a PDP’s affair as contained in Section 7(2c) of the party’s constitution.
“Therefore, in acknowledging the circumstances of force majure arising from the demise of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and subsequent ascendancy of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the Presidency, the forum resolves that wider consultations should continue at party levels within the PDP with all stakeholders across the nation to address the concerns of all in the interest of peaceful co-existence and advancement of democracy in our dear country, Nigeria.”
Also yesterday, the Federal Government declared that the zoning arrangement was unconstitutional and irrelevant in determining who contests for the office of the President in the 2010 elections.
During a “Roundtable on 2011 Election: Imperatives and Challenges for Credible Elections”, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in conjuction with the National Human Rights Commission and the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Bello Adoke (SAN), said he could not understand why the issue of zoning was being taken so serious.
He said: “I also wish to comment briefly on the issue of zoning, which has taken a pride of place in our political discourse. I believe that this great country is at the threshold of history and as citizens; our pre-occupation should be how we can tackle our developmental challenges without unnecessary bickering.
“I am indeed surprised that what was regarded as an internal arrangement of a political party has been elevated to the front- burner while down-playing the express provisions of the Constitution regulating who qualifies to contest election as President.
“I personally feel that the provisions of the Constitution are so clear that we need not over-heat the polity with such trivial issues.”
Adoke also spoke on the amendment of the Constitution and whether the amended document required the assent of the President to become law
He added: “While I respect the position of those who hold a contrary view on this procedure, it must be appreciated that the Constitution which is the grund norm, must be interpreted as a whole document.
“It is therefore my humble view that even if for the sake of argument, it is contended that the assent of Mr. President is not specifically required, obtaining the assent would only amount to a mere ‘surplusage’ that will do the nation no harm, but rather entrench the amendments.”
Besides, the minister said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be given all the resources it required to hold a free and fair election.
He decried the long delay experienced in the adjudication of election disputes, noting that “it is completely unacceptable as it unwittingly provides the enabling environment for illegitimate occupants of elective offices to serve the greater part of the tenure before the petition is disposed of in accordance with the law, adding: “If we do not nip in the bud this retrogressive factor in the electoral process, we will never be able to sustain public confidence in the process.”
Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, said that the commission would comply with the law in conducting the 2011 general elections.
He reiterated INEC’s determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, saying that the electoral body had no plans to shift the date of the elections.
Jega, who was represented by a National Commissioner in INEC, Nuhu Yakubu, said: “We have not asked the National Assembly to postpone the elections; every action of the commission must be based on law. We as a commission will be steadfast to the Constitution, which we have sworn to uphold and to the existing laws guiding the activities of the commission, particularly the electoral law; the May 29th handover date remains sacrosanct.
“Based on the amendments to Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution, elections must take place between 150 and 120 days to the end of tenure. Consequently, the forthcoming elections must hold between 30th of December 2010 and 29th of January 2011. If we take the midpoint for effective preparations and possible runoffs, it means that the elections will take place between the 8th and 15th of January 2011.”
The INEC boss maintained that “Section 31(1) of the Electoral Act provides that notice of election must be issued 150 days prior to an election. That being the case to hold the first election on 8th January 2011, we must issue the notice by August 11th 2010. “Section 10(5) of the Electoral Act provides that registration of voters, upgrading and revision of the register of voters must end 120 days before an election. That means that registration of voters must end by 9th September 2010 barely two months from now.
“However, Section 21 of the Electoral Act makes it possible for claims, objections, verifications, corrections and final certification of voter register to continue until 60 days to an election, that is 9th November 2010.
“Accordingly we have sent a communication to the National Assembly, requesting modifications to several parts of the electoral law, as it considers the Bill for a new Electoral Act presently before it.
“In that communication, we have requested the distinguished and the honourable members of the National Assembly to consider the following areas: Section 10 (5) of the Electoral Act to reduce the time for the end of the registration, upgrading and revision of voter list from 120 days before an election to 60 days. This gives us an additional eight weeks, bringing the total period available to compile a new register to 16 weeks.
“Section 21 of the Electoral Act to reduce the time for the completion of supplementary list of voters, integration into the existing register and final certification from 60 days before the election to 30 days. That gives us a total of 20 weeks to attempt to salvage the existing register.
“In addition, we have requested the National Assembly to amend Section 11(4) of the Electoral Act, which is ambiguous and creates the impression that as soon as we announce the notice of elections, registration of voters must terminate.”
Jega pointed out that “if the amendments we have proposed scale through in good time, and I must say that initial indications are that the National Assembly is favourably disposed to our request, then we have four months, starting from August to compile a new voter register for the elections, employing an electronic data capture system.” Although this is a Herculean task, considering the size, population and other social and political conditions of our country, we are determined to compile a new, permanent and credible voter register since it is the irreducible minimum for conducting free and fair elections, which is what Nigerians want from us.”
