Date Published: 04/24/09
ENSHRINE ROTATION POLICY IN THE CONSTITUTION
By Alhaji Musa Etudaiye
The fundamental truth of democracy, one writer once said, is that the real pleasures of life are increased by sharing them.
The present political parties in Nigeria, particularly the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made a wise decision in 1998 to adopt the rotation of the presidency between North and South. This singular action reduced tension in the country and as a result, enhanced our stability as a nation.
Intriguingly though, the parties did not think it necessary at that time to include 'Power Rotation' at the other two levels below the presidency, such as the state and local government. As is well known, the party is the mother of any democratically elected Government. Therefore the parties have played that motherly role by initiating this laudable action. Now is the time to concretize this action by including the two other layers of government and enshrine the policy in the revised constitution
Nigeria must use the opportunity provided by ongoing constitution amendment exercise to include all three layers of government I.e Presidency, State Governorship and the Local Government Chairmanship. Democracy ensures that everyone has a chance and knows that he or she has it. Nigerian democracy must NOT be the exception. Without the Rotation of Governmental power at the Presidential, State and Local Government levels, the future of ethnic minorities is bleak.
The decision to rotate the Presidency among the six zones is one that had the least opposition in the political history of Nigeria. But limiting rotation of the Head of Government to National level only amounts to an immoral introduction of “apartheid” into our national life and political arrangement. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.
The greatest attraction and logic of democracy is that it features sharing of ideas, sharing in consultations, and sharing of participation and a sense of belonging. Long suffering minorities should not be denied this benefit. Nigerian democracy must be relevant to all Nigerians. Relevant democracy will take cognizance of our history, of our society; peculiarities and sensibilities. Future generations may not accept or remain complacent about political marginalization or being told that they cannot aspire to some offices even in their States or Local Governments because of the accident of their places of origin.
The election of Barack Obama recently in the US and the acceptance by European countries, particularly Switzerland, to assist African countries to repatriate looted funds by African leaders to their home–countries, is a clear manifestation that the world is shifting towards utmost morality in human endeavours and relations. Again, Nigeria to be the exception.
The next question is "Why must the Rotation Clause be in the Constitution of the Federal Republic?" The answer is simple! The party arrangement is inadequate and can be ignored just as some northern politicians ignored the understanding not to contest the presidency in 1999 because it had been zoned to the South.
But the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot be ignored. We in Nigeria waste a lot of valuable time in Courts of the land arguing cases that are clearly stated in the Constitution. One can therefore imagine how we shall treat such a "gentlemen's agreement". The new Constitution must allow the heads of government at the Federal, the State and the Local Government levels to rotate in a clear manner across the political zones e.g. the six geographical zones at the Federal level, the three Senatorial Districts of the State, and the wards or group of wards at the Local Government level respectively.
The amendments should be as follows: Chapter VI: The Executive - section 130 (2). The position of President of the Federation shall be rotated among the six political zones in the country. For this purpose, the six zones are: South-South, South-East, South-West, North-West, North-East and North-Central. (Other sections remain as they are). Section 176 (2) the position of Governor of a State shall be rotated among the three Senatorial Districts of the State. (Other sections remain as they are). Under the Fourth Schedule - Local Government Council, the amendment should read:The position of Local Government Chairman shall be rotated among the wards within the Local Government.
A new section should be inserted which will empower the Electoral Commission to arrange the order in which each level of government is to nominate candidates for President, Governor and Chairman to which all parties must strictly adhere.
· Alhaji Musa Etudaiye , a former permanent secretary in Kwara and Kogi States and a senatorial candidate in 2003, is the Makama of Ebiraland.
