Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has rejected the zoning of the 2023 presidency to the south as advocated by governors from the southern region.
According to him, rotational presidency is not recognized by the 1999 constitution and Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leader.
Governor Bello made the submission on Friday while addressing journalists at the First Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Correspondents held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
He argued that rotational presidency can’t solve the problems of Nigeria but a capable leader can lead the country to its best destination regardless of tribal affiliation.
In his view, “Nigeria of today is a ship that requires the best captain to deliver it to its destination.”
He added that, “If zoning will resolve our problem, when Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo was President, all the problems of the southwest should have been solved.
“When President Umaru Yar’adua was there, all the problems of the North would have been solved and similarly, all Southern problems would have been solved during the era of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“When you are sick and you need a doctor, you don’t care where the doctor comes from, his tribe or religion because they do not count. All you want is to be healed.
“I will continue to insist that let the best candidate who will build on the legacies that Mr President is leaving behind emerge and should the nation go on Rotational Presidency, it should be done fairly with equity.”
On the issue of state police, Bello said it is not the best for the country as it was likely to be misused if allowed to sail adding that Community Policing should rather, be strengthened to function efficiently as exemplified in Kogi.
President of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Chris Isiguzo said gathering journalists from across the country for the seminar was a step in the right direction and commended the Kogi State Governor for his foresight.
