JONTHAN’S DECLARATION PUTS SOME GOVERNORS AT RISK

Sir,

JONTHAN’S DECLARATION PUTS SOME GOVERNORS AT RISK

The declaration for next year’s presidential race by Goodluck Jonathan seems to have created some obstacles for some serving governors. Jonathan’s declaration has shown that zoning has been jettisoned in Nigeria’s democracy. This definitely would transcend all levels of governance where majority would now carry the vote. Therefore, those governors who are occupying their seats based on the past zoning or power-shift arrangements have cause to fear. Unwittingly, for instance, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state was quoted in ThisDay newspaper of September 8, as saying that "we zoned and we have decided to un-zone, there should not be any problem about that". This statement would hunt some political office holders, very soon.

Majority carrying the vote would not be denominated by only ethnicity or tribe but also religion. And this is why Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State who, like Jonathan, seized the opportunity created by providence to become what he is today, might also be affected. In Kaduna State, Muslim population would definitely vote against Yakowa irrespective of pretences going on. How it would happen is that any Muslim that emerges as candidate in another fairly strong political party in Kaduna State is as good as the elected Governor. Likewise, Akpabio (an Annang of Ikot-Ekpene axis) as PDP flag bearer for Akwa Ibom, should a strong character like Senator Udoedegbe, an Ibibio, flying any other fairly strong party’s flag would definitely win the governorship of that State, irrespective of pretences being exhibited by the so-called different ethnic and support groups.

Jonathan’s situation would be different because from all indications, there exists no more monolithic North; he has the support or most northern Christians and with few Muslim support and majority of the southern voters, he is favoured to be elected. But that would be the last for the South as the North would thereafter be monolithic and tossing the presidency between their Muslim and Christian brothers, in turns.

With the promise coming from INEC in respect of new Voters Register and the electorate being conscious, the above scenario would definitely play out as votes cast would count.

Ike Ohia, PhD, Road 8, Festac Town, LAGOS.