‘Zoning Adherents Are Non Democrats’

Adherents of zoning as the determinant of the 2011 presidency in the country have been described as non democrats.

This was the position of a  non-governmental organisation in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Forum, as contained in a press  statement.

The statement which was signed by the Executive Director of the Organisation, Nwala Eugene, and Director of Administration, Martin Jumbo respectively, said the constitutional provision on the presidential election supersedes zoning.

The group argued that the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) should not be over amplified to the extent of eroding the position of constitution in this matter.

They contended that President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated his capacity to transform Nigeria and he had also proven to be a detribalised and focused  leader. It insisted that credibility, not ethnic sentiment should be used as yardstick of selecting our political leaders.

The group expressed happiness that Nigerians were desirous of having  a transparent democratic process where they will be active participant in the election of leaders of their choice.

The forum, further cautioned that the poor masses of this country should not be carried away by sentiments of  zoning , as the past 50 years leadership of the country that anchored on ethnicity, tribal sentiments and zoning had not in any way transformed their lives.

The group called on the Nigerian masses to turn out enmass and vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan, and Vice President  Namadi Sambo, as they have good policies and programmes to transform Nigeria.

Taneh Beemene