The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has hit out at President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, over his comment on zoning the presidency.
In an interview on Tuesday, Daura had said that candidates for the 2023 general election should be picked on competence and not rotation or zoning.
However, speaking on a Television programme on Wednesday, Clark countered Daura’s stance on zoning, saying that President Buhari emerged as APC candidate in 2015 based on zoning and nor competence.
Clark maintained that any move to reject zoning would not reflect positively on ensuring unity in the country.
According to the elder statesman, Daura shouldn’t have a say in such matters as zoning, as he didn’t have much experience in politics.
“I’m not surprised at the principle statement by Mamman Daura. He has no political background; he hasn’t held any office in this country; he doesn’t belong to any political party, so he has not got any political experience,” Clark said.
“The main fact that he is permanently a resident in Aso Rock as adviser to his uncle is not enough for him to make an irresponsible statement that could jeopardise the unity of this country.
“To jettison zoning is looking for chaotic situation in this country and there will be no one Nigeria, united Nigeria because no one will be a slave to the others.”
He added: “I met him (Daura) for the first time in my life, now he has a privilege of residing permanently in Aso Rock, being the leader of the cabal, being the man who is advising. What is he advising?
“No one prevents him from being a nephew to his uncle, Muhammadu Buhari, from advising him on family matters. He has no right to stay permanently without any official appointment in Aso Rock and thereby having the privilege of enjoying the government activities.
“Now he doesn’t want rotation to continue. Let me say this: nobody is a fool; who’s fooling who in this country?
“Every region in this country has people with reputation, capable, intelligent and are today wasting away because some people what to be the overlord of this country.
“So, if we want to have a united Nigeria and practise true democracy, there must be a rotation of the presiEdwin Clarkdency between the north and south.
“Who are they now to say that they are rejecting rotation in the favour of competence? Are they more competent than any other Nigerian in one place?
“The solution is that when Buhari leaves, let the rotation go to the south as recommended by the national conference. We must have a united Nigeria based on equality, otherwise, there will be no Nigeria.”
I really support MAMMAN DAURA on the issue of competency bcos zoning has nothing to do with democracy,and a competent presidential candidate is one that is accepted from all parts of the country.I’m very much superise to heared what this old man is saying ie E.CL on zonning issue.Have u forgorten what happen when GEJ was sworn in as a president after the dearh of ‘YAR-ADUA?did u ppl harbour the zonning arrangement?You always threaten ppl on the unity of the country,then so what if there is disunity?
Why is it a nightmare to tinker with Nigeria as presently constituted? If is a matter of competence Buhari, a dictator and a secondary school drop out shouldn’t be in Aso Rock. Nobody has the capacity to kill an idea. It is just a matter of time before everyone will know the road to his father’s house.