LAGOS (SUNDIATA POST)- A former Chairman, National Economic Summit Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, says the proposed power rotation among the six-geopolitical zones will promote equity and justice.
Ohuabunwa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)on Saturday on Lagos .
According to him, if the proposal eventually gains constitutional backing,it will deepen the country’s democracy and address claims of political marginalisation.
NAN recalls that a bill seeking a rotation of the president and state governors was brought up on June 11 by 35 members of the House of Representatives.
The 35 legislators, under the auspices of Reformed-Minded Legislators, said the proposition would lead to reduction in the cost of governance.
Speaking , Ohuabunwa said the antagonists of power rotation wanted Nigerians to forget the “Federal Character Principle” in the constitution, which requires fair and equitable representation of different ethnic and regional groups in government.
“For whatever it is worth, and for the sake of inclusiveness and sense of belonging, each of the six zones should have the experience of presidential power.
“The rotation of power, is more or less a gentleman agreement, which is already more or less in practice since democracy was returned into the country in 1999..
“The South-West had it through Olusegun Obasanjo, the South-South had it through Goodluck Jonathan., the North-West had it through Muhammadu Buhari.
“The last time(2023) the South-East thought it would be their turn ,but it was denied as power went back to the South-West.
“It is a painful reality that the agreement changed and that political leaders did not keep to it
“It is in South-West now and it is believed that it will probably go back to the north in 2027, if the rotational presidency is not included in the constitution.”he said.
Ohuabunwa,a former chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN),urged that rotational presidency be included in the constitution before 2027 to address unrest and agitations for power in some parts of the country.
Speaking on money politics, Ohuabunwa said it was unfortunate that Nigerians put money above competence and integrity when choosing leaders .
He said money politics was destroying the country’s democracy by throwing up bad leaders. (NAN)
