The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned a statement credited to a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, on the zoning of the presidency.
According to a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Ken Robinson, PANDEF said it is rather unfortunate that the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, drew such a conclusion.
“He knows his statement is inconsistent with established and justifiable protocols and conventions, which have helped to sustain considerable understanding, peace, and stability in the polity.
“Truth is, the narrative that there is no zoning in the nation’s Constitution is a conscienceless mockery of our democratic evolution, and indeed, the country’s constitution.
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Also Read: There’s No Zoning in The Constitution — Atiku
“It bears underscoring that Nigeria’s Constitution, though flawed, has ample provisions that emphasize inclusiveness, fairness, and equity,” PANDEF’s statement partly read.
The forum further stated that Section 14(3) of the Constitution (as amended) provides that “the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or any of its agencies. It added that the intent and purpose of this section are precise and explicit.
The group added: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other northerners expressing interest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 ought to understand that their desire flies in the face of natural justice,”
