Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, don get im flower for the zoning policy wey e pioneer since 1999 as gentleman agreement. Many people welcome am for hope say e go bring political stability for our multi ethnic and multi religious Nigeria. The party even put am for im constitution during one convention wey Vice President Goodluck Jonathan sign for im principal, Umaru Yar’Adua.
But irony catch Jonathan well well: after e finish late Yar’Adua first term, e become the first person for 2011 to break the policy by take over the North presumptive second term. Before that, for 2003, Vice President Atiku Abubakar nearly do the same thing to Olusegun Obasanjo when e threaten to pull out from dia joint ticket so e fit ignore zoning and give Southwest run for dia own second term.
So as Jonathan get infamy for Yar’Adua grave as first violator of zoning, Atiku for 2003 be im first traitor wey want seize im principal second term. And now, 23 years later, the same Atiku dey at am again. E dey disregard the sharing tradition by playing dog in manger for another Southwest second term slot—Tinubu own. By the way, Tinubu be Atiku unrequitable benefactor wey give am Action Congress platform for 2007 to contest presidency against Yar’Adua after dem send am comot from PDP.
Many state don also adopt power sharing since 1999, like my Niger wey round rove governorship among three senatorial districts. The three main tribes—Gbagy, Nupe, and Hausa—adopt the policy to end political violence wey dey since second republic over power. Power sharing don bring peace and stability for such states, especially for volatile ones where power politics cause regular conflict. Critics talk say power sharing elevate ‘right to govern’ over ability to ‘govern right’, but as merit dey for every section, both rights dey jointly achievable.
So how sacred the sharing policy since 1999? E still be gentleman agreement or e don become sacred wey no fit violate without consequences? Maybe for states e don become sacred, but for centre where noise loudest, e still dey test. Only time go tell if section after two terms fit refuse honour im pledge, or if after first term dem deny am second term on ground of ‘intolerable governance’—like dem dey allege against Tinubu. But irony again: no president since 1999 wey dem no accuse of intolerable governance, but dem all serve dia two terms for deference to zoning.
PDP treat Yar’Adua death as force majeure, so Jonathan fit serve remainder of late principal first term and also vie for im presumptive second. For July 2010, Northern Governor’s Forum reject Jonathan attempt to violate zoning, insist say North must provide replacement for Yar’Adua second term. So whereas South first try to violate power sharing code, North be first to win trophy for rising in defence. If pact dey mutually beneficial, North talk say any party wey receive benefit at concession of the other, bound to return same benefit. That why many reject FCT High Court Gumi ruling for 12/1/2010 wey say zoning morally binding but legally non-justiciable. But Bello of Federal High Court for January 20, 2011 talk say zoning enforceable against PDP because e dey inside im constitution. E say court no dey interfere for internal affairs of political parties, but go obligate when members violate constitution. Both judges affirm zoning legitimacy, talk say e reflect adverse nature of Nigerian society and promote equity and justice.
