Opinion
SKC Ogbonnia: Why Must The Next Nigerian President Come From The North?
By SKC Ogbonnia
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party in Nigeria, has concluded its long-awaited national convention. The main takeaway from the gathering is the zoning of its presidential candidate for the 2019 elections to Northern Nigeria. But they may not be alone. The fiercest narrative that has continued to greet my expression of interest to vie for president under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is that power must remain in the North past 2019.
So, why specifically the North at this critical stage of national development where the nation is facing serious crises in all fronts? Have the leaders from any particular zone shown any magic wand in solving national problems? If zoning is suddenly the sole panacea for our problems, what are the criteria?
The cursory history below is cue.
By May 2019, the North might have occupied the seat of power for about 42 out of 59 years of national independence. Of the three Northern political zones, the North-West would have been in power for roughly 18 years; 11 democratic, and 7 years under military rule. The North-East already had about 6 years of democratic governance in the First Republic; while the North-Central accounted for solid 18 years, all military. Yet, despite unfettered allocation of federal funds to the Northern region, its huge natural and human resources remain grossly untapped. It is not surprising, therefore, that the image of the poor human condition in the North is the convex lens through which the history of bad leadership in Nigeria is seen worldwide.
Similarly, the Southern Nigeria has held power for about 17 years. The South-West zone was at the helm for 12 years; 8 years of democratic power, and 4 years of military and quasi military dictatorships. The South-South follows with 5 years, all democratic leadership; while the South-East accounted for 6 months through military authority. Unfortunately, however, the condition of vital federal projects in the South, including roads and airports, remain an eyesore. Needless to mention that the region is well known for high crime rates home and abroad.
Ultimately, politicians from both the North and South are guilty of bad leadership in Nigeria. We must admit, therefore, that the distrust in the polity is deeply rooted in the past, where each ethnic group or region patently shares blame. But if zoning must prevail at this critical time, common sense dictates that the law of equity would equally demand that the position of the president be allocated to the region or the zones thus far marginalized in the presidential equation.
Critics are expected to roar here. As if Nigeria just attained independence in 1999, they will attempt to argue that the rotation began in 1999. Others have also made the case that the rotation rationale does not consider military rule. Fine. But there is the need for consistency. Nigeria has moved onto political zones instead of the regional concept. Thus, the presidential calculators ought to zoom their searchlight into the North-Central and the South-East, being the political zones that are yet to produce democratic presidents. In other words, any presidential aspirant from North-West, South-West, South-South, and North-East might as well step aside.
More progressively, let there be open contest from all zones without preordained anointment. Nigeria needs a leader who is best equipped to lead at this stage of national development. For things are not going well in our country. The ordinary man and woman is finding it difficult to survive. Many of the youths are fleeing the country, most of whom have no other choice than to embrace the harsh conditions in immigration jails in foreign lands as more hopeful than the free life in our native land. Some are even accepting to be sold as slaves insofar they escape the Nigerian dilemma.
Make no mistake about it, the main problem is not the fault of the current national government. Instead, it is a culmination of acute leadership failures inherited from the past PDP regimes that squandered the nation’s golden opportunities. For example, despite unprecedented revenue generated from crude oil from 1999 to 2014, abject corruption, rather than the dividend of the hard-earned democracy, was the order of the day.
As can be recalled, that very situation prompted many patriots, including this writer—to sacrifice our individual political and business interests—to promote any candidate who could stem the tide of bad governance bedeviling the country at the time. We did not care about ethnicity, religion or creed. We did not care that the South-South, the very life zone of the nation, which at the time had a sitting president in Goodluck Jonathan, had not exhausted its eight years in Aso Villa. All we sought was a Nigerian, simply a Nigerian, with a history of fighting corruption. Muhammadu Buhari was that man.
Buhari came back to power with good intentions and has performed to the best of his ability. At least, corruption is once again being viewed as stealing. But, if the truth is told, his best can no longer cope with the demands of the 21st century Nigeria. In short, President Muhammadu Buhari has two glaring styles to consider moving forward: The Mandela manner or the Mugabe muggle. The world is watching.
The world is definitely watching, believing that Nigeria can do much better. It is not a secret that her citizens, including the youth, are leading lights worldwide in all-important areas of human civilization from medicine, education, engineering, law enforcement, and what have you. Yet, the same Nigerian professionals cannot replicate similar standards at home because of all manners of discrimination, including uneven zoning and quota. That trend must change. The posterity beckons on us to capitalize on our rich diversity and find common grounds where ideas could converge for practical solutions instead of amplifying the echoes of a lifelong pattern of tribal or regional rivalries.
SKC Ogbonnia*, an APC presidential aspirant, writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Oriental Times
Samsom Edwin
December 14, 2017 at 7:55 am
Pls ask them for me
Comedian Smallshoe
December 14, 2017 at 7:39 am
How can a country that has;
Prof Yemi Oshibajo
Aliko Dangote
Tony Elumelu
Donald Duke
Jim Ovia
Akinwunmi Adesina
Fola Adeola
Peter Obi
Chukwuma Soludo
Sanusi Lamido-Sanusi
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,
Philip Emegwali
Prof Pat Utomi
Jaiye Olowosuko
Arc. G C William
Tunde Fashola
And Host of other Intelligent and smart people across the globe be limited to Buhari and Atiku?. I just don’t get it. Meanwhile the youth are busy analyzing Arsenal and Chelsea.
Who did we offend? Na who swear for us?!!!!
Please share among young people!!! Anyone with a plan?!!!☹☹☹☹
Alamin Abdulhamid
December 14, 2017 at 7:35 am
Because we are born to rule
Ikechukwu Odii
December 14, 2017 at 7:23 am
One zoooooogeria 4 u
Atuegwu Angus
December 14, 2017 at 7:13 am
Biafra is what we need
Francis Aroh
December 14, 2017 at 7:08 am
It is because you are a slave to north OK
Prince Alexander
December 14, 2017 at 6:59 am
Ask them change most come
Ikechukwu Ujoatu
December 14, 2017 at 6:37 am
Question of the blind.
McChuqs Kings
December 14, 2017 at 6:34 am
Ask them? Eastern politicians are cowards…
Aminu Musa
December 14, 2017 at 6:24 am
because Northerners are the most suitable ppl to rule this country with no bias, tribalism or segregation in short we are most competence to run Nigeria
Eze Uba
December 14, 2017 at 5:56 am
Ask them my brother
Onyee Kachi
December 14, 2017 at 5:46 am
This question very important
Marvins Ogbonna
December 14, 2017 at 5:41 am
what is wrong with this people,don’t you people know that north own this country,when your youth is crying for freedom you people we plan with d north and send them Nigeria hausa army to kill them.
Usman Muhammad
December 14, 2017 at 5:17 am
Because majority carry the vote. Anytime u se a president that is not from the north that one is northerners wishings
Aliyu Isa
December 14, 2017 at 5:12 am
Because we are born to rule
Chinonso Moses
December 14, 2017 at 4:55 am
#Good question
Igbww Igbww
December 14, 2017 at 3:22 am
Nice question
Michael Ezeaputa
December 14, 2017 at 3:17 am
I have been asking the same question oo
Abubakar Adah Alhassan
December 14, 2017 at 2:44 am
You can come out and contest and you have the right as a Nigerian Made
Emmanuel Iwuchuchukwu
December 14, 2017 at 12:41 am
Hunger for power ppl, well ask dem.
Obiajulu Michael
December 14, 2017 at 12:36 am
Ask this question to your so called SE governors and leaders who invited operation phyton the dance in Igbo land
Samson Kanayo
December 14, 2017 at 12:19 am
Good question
Austin Anslem
December 14, 2017 at 12:09 am
Why must northerners rule Nigeria ? What is wrong with our southern politicians who are claiming rugged at home ?
Gerald Uke
December 14, 2017 at 6:31 am
Austin your southern political elites are cowards. They are only tough at home.
Austin Anslem
December 14, 2017 at 12:06 am
Please help me to ask the southern supporters of northern president ?
Jontor Way
December 14, 2017 at 12:04 am
because Nigeria belong to them
Emmanuel Ojiakor
December 13, 2017 at 11:52 pm
The next president of this country will come from south, weather anyone like it or n
Emmanuel Iwuchuchukwu
December 14, 2017 at 12:42 am
I beg park well, who tell u?
Jimmy Olugbeje
December 13, 2017 at 11:51 pm
nonsense country
Ezea Ability Chibuike Wizdo
December 13, 2017 at 11:43 pm
Am asking the same
Wilson Lord
December 13, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Thank you
Solo KC
December 13, 2017 at 11:21 pm
as igbo’s is out off the zooria is o’yes yoruba’s they using, awusa that dosent know there left and right animals in means of human been
Chibuike Ugonna
December 13, 2017 at 11:05 pm
Nature is preparing a big revolution in Nigeria.
Wise Mike
December 13, 2017 at 10:54 pm
Ask meooo
Iyke Godspower
December 13, 2017 at 10:42 pm
Jose Bakker
December 13, 2017 at 10:31 pm
Good question, PDP presidential candidate from north also
Ebuka Igwe
December 13, 2017 at 10:29 pm
Good question
Prince Gaiser Osagie - Erese
December 13, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Southerners cannot win presidential election without support from the North. Eventually the North is selfish about rotational presidency
Ahmadu Mayé
December 13, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Because wherever any president come from most lost to the north
Solo KC
December 13, 2017 at 11:23 pm
ewu awusa what did u vomit hear? mumu common english u cant spoke
Willfred Osiwu
December 13, 2017 at 9:23 pm
Because the north owns Nigeria,
Kalu Ndukwe
December 13, 2017 at 10:25 pm
But remain the most miserable,and poorest. And so shall it be till eternity.
Kayode Masha
December 13, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Because Nigeria is under bondage
Junaid Mohammed
December 13, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Una never see anything yet, support Biafra
Chukwudi Okoye
December 13, 2017 at 9:22 pm
any one else who ever belive in fighting or destruction it must conzoum him. cos human beign is not God but odinary flesh. go and ask those past nigeria leaders how market.
Ahmadu Mayé
December 13, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Which Biafra…the one that died 40 yrs ago or the one that was Still born…?
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/10/01/biafra-nnamdi-kanu-backs-seeks-dialogue-buhari/
Junaid Mohammed
December 13, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Brother you and I knows that Nigeria did not defeat Biafra during the war, just declared no victory no vanquish
Kalu Ndukwe
December 13, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Biafra will come. Never mind.
Solo KC
December 13, 2017 at 11:32 pm
when they are mocking the awusa’s by all the food is ready political parties zoning there candidates to awusa they cant think and ask why is nigerians mocking ttem instead they will be vomiting fura de nunu, what a shame?
Gerald Uke
December 14, 2017 at 6:34 am
Ahmadu Mayé Biafra must surely come . It is just a matter of time. The way Jerusalem will become Isreals capital is just the same way it will happen.
Tobechukwu Adunigwe
December 13, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Good question
Samuel Alex
December 13, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Good Question My Brother- Skc
Samuel Alex
December 13, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Good Question My Brother- Skc
Vincent Kaonyeasuya Ambrose
December 13, 2017 at 8:35 pm
I TIRE LIK MICHELIN
Vincent Kaonyeasuya Ambrose
December 13, 2017 at 8:35 pm
ASK THEM OOOOO