ZONING: NIGERIA'S ANSWER?

Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Azikiwe
ruled the western, northern, and eastern
regions respectively.

52 years ago, a country was born in Western Africa. This country, which had potentials in becoming a great nation, was called Nigeria. Nigeria has four main regions, which are the Hausa(north), Igbo(east), Yoruba(yoruba), and the Niger Delta(south-south) regions.  She showed some promises which later turned sour because of corruption among government and its citizens. The seat of governance is now the most sought after possession in the country. Everyone in Nigeria wants to rule, but not everyone can rule. The “rule at all cost” attitude displayed by Nigerians has led to many assassinations and also political fighting across the country. A country which produces over 60 presidential candidates every election year does not show promise. No matter what region produces a president, another region must be angry about it. This unhappiness has brought about voting based on regional differences. People are no longer elected because of what they would achieve, but rather where they come from. Since the mindset of Nigerians has already been ethnically divided, maybe the best way to solve Nigeria’s political brouhaha is rotation of the presidency -“Zoning”.

                Many have argued that Nigeria’s problem started as far back as 1914, when the southern and northern regions were amalgamated. This was like joining two totally different countries. Till today, many political analysts have declared that the only way to save Nigeria is to split the country once again, with the four main regions forming four independent countries. However, exploiting the idea of political zoning should not be ruled out in a bid to keep Nigeria together. Zoning of the presidency might go a long way in providing lasting peace and stability in Nigeria. How would zoning work? Simple…………..

Olusegun Obasanjo(west) ruled Nigeria between
1976 - 1979(military) and 1999 - 2007(civilian).

                The number of political parties should be reduced to between 2 and 6 instead of having numerous parties. These political parties should only provide presidential candidates from a particular region for a year’s election. When voted into power, that president would rule for a first term of 4 years, and then if nominated by his party again, contests for a second term, along with other candidates from his tribe only. That means each tribe will be given only 8 years to rule. After a region has ruled, a new region is then allowed to contest and rule for 8 years. As this continues, the presidential seat would have rotated around all four regions, thereby reducing political marginalization.

                This idea sounds good, but it also has its disadvantage. Many leaders would only focus on their regions when they are in power. They might relegate other regions to the background and channel development opportunities only to their region of origin. Doing this will only bring Nigeria back to its present state. Political assassinations would continue and ethnical and religious clashes would continue to occur. This idea of rotation of the presidential seat sounds like the remaining option the Nigerian government has yet to explore.  Though it may be challenged by political analysts, it is an option that can unite a divided Nigeria. The problem of Nigeria, which was pioneered by Lord Lugard in 1914, cannot be resolved overnight. Since the political system of Nigeria is already ethnically divided, introducing zoning into the constitution would give every region a chance to rule, thereby reducing political tensions. It is sad to say, but in Nigeria, "people do not rule, regions rule".