Stakeholders canvass rotational presidency as panacea to ethnic agitations

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By Ikenna Osuoha

Some stakeholders have called for insertion of rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones in the constitution to further enhance political stability and address ethnic agitations.

The stakeholders made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

One of the stakeholders, Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, President, Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), said only a rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones could restore people’s confidence in the country’s democratisation process.

“It will reduce agitations and bring hope to all because every section or zone is sure of taking its own turn at the appropriate time.

“The challenge of agitations and marginalisation will be over because every geo-political zone has a potential president.

“Rotational presidency will also engender inclusiveness and equity,” Nnam said.

In his own view, a former governorship candidate in Imo, Dr Bennett Lemchi, said rotation of the presidency among the geo-political zones would rescue the country from ethno-religious suspicion and acrimony.

According to him, no geo-political zone will grumble again because it has its own turn for its indigene to be at the helm of affairs.

Lemchi, while commending the national assembly for the ongoing constitution review, reminded the lawmakers of the imperatives of inserting rotational arrangement of the presidency among the six geo-political zones in the document.

“Rotational presidency will bring about equity and fairness. It will be the best for the country,” he said.

Also speaking, a Public Affairs Analyst, Alhaji Tanko Idris, called on true patriots to support the rotational arrangement.

Idris, who described Nigeria as a heterogeneous country with religious and ethnic pluralities, said that the arrangement would further promote unity in the country.

“If rotational presidency is inserted in the constitution, there will be peaceful transition of power from one geo-political zone to another, thus enhancing economic stability as ethnic and religious suspicions will end naturally,” he said.

To Mr Etim Bassey, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Initiative (NFPI), rotational presidency will serve as panacea to inter-ethnic rancour.

Bassey stated that it would also address various agitations, especially by minority groups.

He expressed the belief that such a move by the national assembly would have the support of Nigerians, as it would be a roadmap to national cohesion and inclusiveness. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Wale Sadeeq

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