Let merit, not zoning decide Buhari’s successor- Abdullahi Adamu

The two-term former governor of Nasarawa State and the All Progressives Congress lawmaker representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, in the Senate, Abdullahi Adamu, has defined the idea of power shift to the South in 2023, as wishful thinking.

The law maker made this known at a news conference, in Abuja, on Monday. He said since the concept of zoning is not in the nation’s constitution, every eligible Nigerian is free to contest the 2023 presidential election regardless of his or her state of origin.

He noted “Nowhere in the Nigerian constitution says we should zone any public office.

“There is federal character but not that parties must zone positions for the presidency during an election.

“The constitution is being reviewed. If you want a specific provision that presidential positions, be zoned, you say it – and tell us how you want it to be zoned.

“Is it going to be from one zone to another? You can’t just wish away, a situation that is fundamental to a country. You can’t talk of merit and talk of zoning. You can’t.

“Let’s just go by merit. Let every party find a way of selling itself in a manner that will garner the kind of votes that will win the election. It’s as simple as that.

“Yes, somebody is saying the East has not had a president. I agree and I sympathise with them but the constitution says you can only become president through the ballot box.

“We have been saying it during elections that every vote must count. So, why do you want to zone? Zone your mind if you want to zone.”

On the open-grazing ban in the southern part of the country, he said “Every Nigerian has a right to free movement and the right to pursue any legitimate business. It is in the constitution.”