In preparation for the 2023 general elections, one of the PDP presidential aspirants, Atiku Abubakar has reportedly slammed the Peoples Democratic Party zoning of its presidential ticket to a particular region of the country, adding that the Nigerian Constitution doesn’t recognize it.
Atiku reportedly made this known at a meeting with members of a group, ‘Let’s Fix Nigeria’ emphasizing that any Nigerian endowed with the right attributes could lead the country.
Atiku stated, “Fundamentally, the Constitution says all of us can run. The Constitution has not barred any one of us. There is no zoning in the Constitution; there is none. I was a member of the constituent assembly that drafted the current Constitution and there was nothing like that.”
Atiku, who reportedly recalled how he bought the idea of zoning in the PDP during a discussion with a former vice president, the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, made it known that he would adopt measures that would unify and stabilise Nigeria if elected.
Be however made it known, “But then, as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, we felt that there should be a sense of belonging. We went and invented this zoning.”
He noted, “Therefore, we went further to say there should be zonal representation. So, let me assure you that as far as I am concerned, I will observe and implement whatever will bring about the peace and stability of this country.”
He maintained, “Leadership is endowed by God. You can have a young man come and do better than an old man. So, it is an endowed attribute from God, therefore, we should try to look for such a person who has been endowed by God, who has those attributes and then give him leadership.”
The former Vice President remarked, “I have never seen; this country have so many challenges at the same time. So, sometimes, when I am on my bed, I begin to wonder whether to go for it (contest) or not, because the challenges are just too many. In my life, I have never seen Nigeria in such a bad situation.”
He posited, “As far as the unity of this country is concerned, we are more divided. Even when we fought the Civil War, we were never as divided as this. We never have a breakdown of law and order like this because when we fought the Civil War, it was confined to a particular location, in every other place, there was peace.”
He emphasized, “We never had this kind of poverty where even the farmer cannot go to farm the food to eat, not to talk of commercial farming. So, I have never seen this country so bad, and it is going to be a daunting task for anybody to come and turn things around.”
https://punchng.com/no-zoning-in-nigerias-constitution-says-atiku/?amp
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