2023: Zoning Is Not Constitutional, Nigeria Needs Merit And Competence – Uzodinma

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has declared that zoning should not be a major consideration in determining who emerges as President of Nigeria in 2023.

The Governor stated that zoning is not found in the 1999 constitution though it would be good to have a person from the southeast succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

He however added that issues of competence and merit should be considered above zoning as the race for the 2023 presidency thickens.

Naija News reports Governor Uzodinma made his views known on Sunday in a chat with journalists in Abuja on the sidelines of the first plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

In his words, “Of course, it will be a good idea to zone the presidency to the Southeast, but in the best of my interest, the process is what we should be looking at. Actually, in the books of our democracy (1999 constitution), tribe or place of origin is not a factor.

“So, all I say in my good conscience and moral instinct is that Nigerians should vote in a representative manner where everyone will have a feel of what the presidency is in reality, but beyond that and very importantly, is the need for merit and competence. They should be the driving criteria for selecting a president. This country has gone through a lot of trouble and temptations. It is high time we did this rightly in Nigeria.”

Uzodinma also accused desperate politicians of being the ones behind the various challenges of insecurity in Nigeria due to their selfish ambitions.

He however distanced himself from participating in that kind of politics, stating that he would rather quit politics than promote violence and spill blood to win elections.

He also called on Nigerians of all classes to play by the rules and desist from heating up the political atmosphere.

He said, “I don’t belong to the class of politicians that will encourage violence. I don’t belong to the class of politicians that will spill blood (to win elections). I will rather prefer not to be a politician than to be an instrument of violence. If you recall the history of elections in Nigeria, it has always been greeted with anxiety in the beginning.

“But as we make progress, the anxiety comes down and the people also come out to follow the electoral timetable as provided by INEC.

“The only aspect that is different is the contrived insecurity that is now taking lives and all sorts of banditry and kidnapping. Evil is bad and stands condemned. We should shun violence in all its ramifications and embrace the rule of free, fair, and conducive environment for everyone.

“I invite my colleagues, political leaders, and the entire political elite to tow the path of good conscience and fear of God in all they do and say, because that is only what we need to attract the mercy and forgiveness of God.”