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

By Kingsley Okoye

A don, Dr Lawrence Odeh, has called for enactment of a stiffer law to check frequent defections, particularly by serving legislators in the nation’s state and national parliaments.

Odeh, of Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Benson Idahosa University, Benin, said the stringent measures, if put in place, would further help on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

The don stated these in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“As a way out of the challenges of frequent defections by legislators to other political parties, I am of the view that stringent measures should be put in place to discourage such acts and strengthen democracy in the country.

“For example, a law should be enacted mandating the legislative leadership, upon receiving the report of a member or members defection, to immediately set-up a committee comprising legislators who have exhibited high level of integrity to investigate the reasons stated for their defections.

“The committee is to find out if the reasons are in line with the constitutional provisions that permit defections.

“If the decision for cross-carpeting violates constitutional provisions, the law to be enacted should compel the legislative leader to immediately declare the seats of the defectors vacant.

“Also, the findings of the proposed committee must be approved by majority members of the parliament in a plenary session,” he said.

Odeh further stated that the suggested legislation should state the period within which the legislative leader must constitute the committee.

He said that the committee must be given a time frame within which to conduct its investigation and submit the report of its findings.

“This institutional building approach and other similar ones suggested by various policy analysts, if effectively implemented, will, in no small measure, restore the institutional deficit that has adversely affected Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.

“It will also catalyse the nation’s progress toward the achievement of sustainable development,” the don said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Wale Sadeeq

By Olajide Idowu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all 30 chairmanship and 332 councillorship seats in the local government election held on Saturday in Osun.

Mr Hashim Abioye, Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), announced the results on state-owned television, Osun Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), in Osogbo.

Abioye stated that 18 political parties participated in the election.

“I want to announce that the local council election, conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), has been successfully concluded.

“It was conducted in compliance with constitutional provisions, extant laws, regulations and guidelines.

“The election was held to fill vacancies in 332 wards and 30 local government areas of Osun State,” Abioye added.

He said 18 political parties contested, and the results have been submitted to the commission.

According to him, from the available results, PDP candidates in all 332 wards emerged as winners.

“Their names are listed in the schedule to this text. As Chief Returning Officer, I hereby declare each one duly elected chairmen and councillors of their respective areas.

“The results are available for anyone interested in certified true copies.

“For the 30 local government areas of Osun State, PDP candidates won all the seats,” he said.

Abioye apologised to the media for the commission’s failure to provide accreditation tags for election coverage.

He alleged that security agencies sealed the commission’s office, where the materials were kept.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier announced its withdrawal from the election.

The withdrawal was contained in a letter dated Feb. 17, signed by APC State Secretary, Alao Kamoru, and addressed to the Secretary of OSSIEC.

A copy of the letter obtained by NAN stated that APC would not participate, citing the Feb. 10 Court of Appeal ruling in Akure reinstating its sacked officials. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Kamal Tayo Oropo