2023 deceits: Only God can judge- Part 2
In the first part of this series, we acknowledged that the intrigues, wranglings and deceits associated with election years in Nigeria have already begun despite the fact that 2023 is over two years farther; full of deception reminiscent of Yemi Alade’s song: “Deceive”
In the national level, almost all the geo-political zones have laid claim to the Presidency. While there are strong views that power should shift to southern Nigeria when President Mohammadu Buhari completes his 8-year-tenure in 2023, the Igbos in the East are particuarly aggressive in their demands, alledging marginalisation. The West, on the other hand, claimed they had a pack with Buhari to hand over power to them when they formed the merger in 2015.
But the South South believes they should be allowed to complete Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, an argument that appears more appealing to the Northerners for obvious and selfish reason. Against this background, some APC chieftains from had reportedly approached former President Goodluck Jonathan with a proposal to decamp from PDP if he really desires another shot at the Presidency.
There are growing fears that Buhari is cunningly seeking a third term by plotting to cede the Presidency to the North admdist condemnations.
To drive home the demands of each geo-political zone, some splinter and violent groups have emerged from various zones with a view to holding kings makers to ransom.
From the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast to the banditry and kidnapping in the North-West. Or from the breakaway threats from the IPOB in the South East to the threats by Niger Delta militants to resume hostility and the challenge posed by Fulani herdsmen, one thing appears certain: Nigeria is on a keg of gunpowder, as dangerous groups threaten hell and sulfur to negotiate their way to Presidency come 2023.
Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has declared Independence of “Yoruba Nation”, claiming South West is no longer part of Nigeria. Nnamdi Kano of Indigenous People of Biafra had been insisting that the Sovereign State of Biafra is overdue. And Asari Dokubo of Niger Delta Volunteers Force has just declared Biafra Customary Government. Observers say the whole Gambit is targeted at the soul of Aso Rock.
As the estranged aesociate of President Mohammadu Bahari, Buba Galadima would warn, danger is knocking in Nigeria ahead of 2023 general elections. Only God can judge.
Akwa Ibom zoning debacle:
In Akwa Ibom State, the proposed zoning arrangements are not less controversial and dangerous. Both the macro and micro zoning arrangements are getting more intriguing and interesting each passing day.
Rejigging the macro zoning
One would have concluded that power would return to Uyo Senatorial District, but as the 2023 beckons, it is fast becoming clear that whoever puts his life savings there has already put himself on God’s judgement seat. There is emerging school of thought that the zoning arrangements initiated in 1999 have taken its full course as Governor Udom Emmanuel rounds up his 8-year-tenure in May 29th, 2023.
Erudite Eseme Eyiboh, who arguably first muted this idea, had expressed the need for stakeholders to return to the negotiation table ahead of electioneering.
Some are worried that if the current macro zoning arrangement based on Senatorial District is maintained, minority ethnic groups in the state such as Oro Nation, Eket, Ibeno and even Annang, may be marginalised as they lack the political strength to muscle power with the dominant Ibibio ethnic extraction who has representations in all the three Senatorial Districts. Hence, tinkering with the rotational arrangements has become a necessity.
Politics of power shift:
When former Governor Victor Attah initiated power in 2007, its was based on the three ethnic tripod forming Akwa Ibom: Ibibio, Annang and Oro Nations. Obong Attah specifically noted that power was shifting to Annang ethnic nationality, which is the dominant ethnic extraction in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. The idea of zoning the Hilltop Mansion throne based on Senatorial Districts had never come to mind until the second term bid Governor Godswill Akpabio and many argued it was forced through his throat.
