‘You’re Obsessed With Ambition’ – Ohanaeze Chides Kogi Gov For Opposing Rotational Presidency

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, weekend, described the comment credited to Kogi governor Yahaya Bello that ‘rotational presidency is unconstitutional’ as a demonstration of his ‘remarkable obsession with ambition’.

Gov Bello had, during the maiden edition of the Governor Yahaya Bello seminar for political and crime correspondents in Abuja, on Friday, said such arrangement was not in any part of the nation’s constitution.

Ohanaeze, in a reaction issued by its national publicity secretary, Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia, said, “Governor Bello, no doubt, has demonstrated a remarkable obsession with ambition shortly after providence paved way for him to be sworn in as the governor of Kogi State in 2015 at an impressionable age of 40.

“There is no doubt that Bello has a date with destiny going by a smooth political ascendancy that life has presented to him. However, I have my fears that he is embarking on a political adventure that lacks both conscience and principle.

“The immortal words of Uthman Dan Fodio that ‘conscience is an open wound and only the truth can heal it’ should serve as a moral compass to Nigerian leaders.”

Stating that that there was an agreement for rotational presidency in Nigeria, Ohanaeze recalled that, “The meeting was held at the National University Commission (NUC) Conference Centre, Abuja, in 1998. Dr Chuba Okadigbo spoke on behalf of the South while Alh Abubakar Rimi spoke for the North.

“The likes of Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo were at the meeting. The Nigerian statesmen examined the merits and demerits of zoning and rotation of power between the composite zones in Nigeria.

“At the end, it was resolved that the presidency be conceded to the South, and that it would rotate between the South and the North in the interest of equity, unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.

“The foregoing was the basis for the emergence of presidential candidates of the mainstream political parties from the Southwest in1999.

“Since then, the patriotic and peace-loving Nigerians have adhered to the rotation principle, such that at the end of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s second tenure, President Musa Yar’Adua was elected; Goodluck Jonathan and then President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The above expose informs the resolution by the Southern governors that the South should produce the next president of Nigeria after President Buhari.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, therefore advised Gov Bello that ‘it will serve his interest better if he supports the resolution by his southern colleagues; since age is still in his favour’.

According to the statement, “Bello is beckoned to the ethical functional relationship between the morality of an agreement and the legality of the constitution.

“For purpose of clarity, morality is the universal foundation of Laws. On the other hand, law should be seen to stand in defence of morality.”