Political Office Zoning, Unconstitutional

The All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) minority leader, House of Representatives, Alhaji Mohammed Ndume, said the ongoing debate about zoning of political offices was unnecessary as it was a constitutional matter.

Ndume told newsmen in Abuja that although the controversial debate on zoning was purely a PDP affair, it was in the constitution in the form of federal character principle which was enshrined in some party’s constitution too.

The lawmaker said zoning was in ANPP constitution as contained in article 10 page 7, “I am for zoning, because, it is constitutional and it is part of ANPP”.

“Zoning ordinarily is supposed to be a PDP affair but again, it has been given a different colouration by people whose sole aim is to create confusion.

“We are worried that President Jonathan has allowed himself to be distracted by this unnecessary debate thereby leaving issues of state to suffer, he said.

Ndume, (ANPP-Borno) who rated the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan low, advised him to concentrate his efforts at giving the nation dividends of democracy so that Nigerians would trust him.

“We call on President Jonathan to concentrate and excel in his present job as a sitting President instead of seeking to be a presidential candidate in the next election when he has yet to deliver on the subsisting mandate,” he said.

On the golden jubilee anniversary, Ndume said the reviewed budget of N6 billion earmarked for the celebration was still on the high side and called on government to use the money to provide facilities for the citizenry.

“We strongly believe the amount earmarked for the celebration is misplaced, uncalled for, inconsiderate and reckless,” he said.

Ahead of 2011general elections, the minority leader urged Jonathan to release the needed funds demanded by the Prof. Attahiru Jega for the conduct of a fresh voter registration.

Ndume equally appealed to Jonathan to urgently sign into law the new electoral bill passed by the National Assembly.