Rotational Presidency Will Enhance National Unity — Akpulonu
Chief Solomon Akpulonu, Abia Majority Leader Joining his voice in the ongoing agitation, Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly said rotational presidency would boost national unity and give a sense of belonging to all sections of the country.
Akpulonu stated that it was a grave injustice for one or two sections of the country to hold on to the presidency in a federation of over 250 ethnic groups and treat others as second class citizens.
He explained that the injustice has led to agitation for self-determination and restructuring and urged the presidency to listen to what he described as ‘voices of reason.’ In his words: “There is a need for rotation of the Nigerian presidential seat. Without rotation, some parts of Nigeria will never produce the President to govern this country.
And that won’t be good for the unity of the nation. We must promote such ideals that will enhance our unity in diversity. One of such is inclusiveness. You don’t beat a child and expect him not to cry. Ndigbo has been treated as second class citizens in Nigeria. There are too many injustices in Nigeria. This is why you see some of these agitations coming up daily.
“How can Mamman Daura say that they no longer want rotation but competence? He is calling for the abolition of rotational presidency when his nephew, President Muhammadu Buhari was elected president through rotational presidency. Is this not a double standard? Is this not a recipe for confusion? There is no zone that doesn’t have competent hands.
If you zone the presidency to my constituency, Obingwa East, there over 100 competent hands that can man the Nigerian presidency efficiently. Anybody calling for the abolition of rotational presidency in a multi-ethnic and religious federation like Nigeria wants to cause crisis and should be put on the watch list.
“I strongly believe that a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction is possible in 2023. Ndigbo should negotiate with other zones, it is a give and take kind of thing. Gain the trust and confidence of our brothers across the Niger. Nigeria is ripe for Igbo presidency. I have no doubt we will achieve it if we play our cards well.”
The Majority Leader who represents Obingwa State Constituency insisted there was nothing wrong with agitation for self- determination as Nnamdi Kanu and his group, IPOB, are doing. “There is nothing wrong with self-determination as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his group are doing. It is an internationally recognized method of achieving independence. You don’t force people to belong to a place where they are being marginalized, where their rights are abused, and where they are treated as second class citizens. They must seek freedom.
“However, my thinking is that the agitation by Nnamdi Kanu should not stop Igbo people from clamoring for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction. Ndigbo are still members and an integral part of Nigeria. Igbo presidency doesn’t mean that those agitating for self-determination should stop. When we get to the bridge, we know how to cross it.”
Ayooluwa Joshua