…Says zoning system be maintained
….Insists on restructuring of Nigeria
The Chief Edwin Clark led Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has said that the Presidency in 2023 should go to the South.
This is as the former National commissioner stressed the urgent need to restructure the country, saying that without restructuring the countrry cannot go anywhere.
Besides, Clark said that what the country needed is a production of a new cronstitution and not an amendment to the current one.
He said the current constitution is not good enough to meet the yearnings of the people.
Already the major political parties in the country are jettisoning zoning.
He said: “The purpose of this meeting is very clear. Where are we going in Nigeria? Some are asking for secession, others for a breakup, others are running a unitary system of government etc.
“Time is moving fast and there is the need to state our position very clear to Nigerians.
“Mr. President is not an emperor, he is not a king, he is not a monarch, he is a politician. He should come out and meet some of us who were here before even though he was an ordinary soldier. This country belongs to all of us, the north alone or the south alone cannot rule this country.”
Clark said presently, Nigeria is running a unitary system of government, insisting it is time to restructure.”
On the ongoing amendment to the constitution, Clark said , “We want a brand new constitution. Any amendment of the constitution, I have no confidence in it. We are here for two things: Nigeria should be restructured. President Buhari once said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. I say if we don’t restructure Nigeria will die. Secession is not the answer.
“Secondly, we want the zoning to continue. We want the 2023 presidency zoned to the south,” he declared.
MBLF in the communique issued at the end of the meeting, “Unequivocally and in full resolve, calls on the APC and PDP and other political parties to zone the Presidency, in 2023 to the South; at the next election.
“Enjoins political stakeholders from the South not to be lured into the unpatriotic step of seeking such other positions as National Chairmen and Vice President of the main political parties, but join forces to demand and ensure that the Presidency moves to the South in 2023.”
On the current security situation in the country, the group urged the government to declare “ a national emergency on security and urgently come up with proactive strategies to restore peace and security to all parts of the country”.
They warned that “ if the security situation is not dealt with and banditry stopped or reduced to the barest minimum, it would not be feasible to have proper elections in 2023”
The Southern and Middle Belt leaders also condemned the government’s stand towards the resolutions of the Southern governors to ban open grazing and restructuring; “Insists that cattle rearing is a generally, private business enterprise, as such, the Federal Government should avoid committing state resources to promote any particular business, beyond providing the enabling environment, in the performance of its regulatory roles.”
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria, saying it “must only be sustained on the principles of Equity, Fairness and Justice.”
The group observed a minute of silence for the former secretary of Afenifere and SMBLF who died from Covid-19 complication and also Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, the late Chief of Army Staff and 10 others who died in a plane crash recently.
Some notable leaders in attendance are leaders of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo; President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozo; Air Commodore Dan Sulieman, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Bitrus Pogu, Godknows Igali, among others.
