The North Central Peoples’ Forum, NCPF, has kicked strongly against the position of Southern Governors calling that the Presidency should be zoned to the region in 2023.
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Monday, the Secretary of NCPF, Khaleel Bolaji, said such agitation is old-fashioned and will further polarize the country.
He said instead of pushing for an agenda that will further widen the gulf; Nigerians should aspire for an arrangement that will place “competence and merit” irrespective of zones above any other consideration.
The position of the NCPF clearly appears to go against an established ” Zoning Arrangement ” since 1999 between the North and the South.
It also seems to conflict with the earlier position of the group; demanding that the North Central was ripe enough to produce the next President in 2023.
According to Bolaji, nothing in the 1999 Constitution makes “zoning” or rotational presidency compulsory.
He said while the NCPF is not insisting on the Presidency the way the Southern Governors have done, it will not hesitate to support any candidate from the North Central as long as the individual has the competence.
