Understandably, these developments have adversely impacted the smooth transition of the rotational system. It resulted in a conundrum on the smooth running of the federal principle and its rotational practice. This complexity will be addressed in Part 2 of this post (if not yet posted, please visit again). Nevertheless, it is to be noted that Nigeria needs a level-playing ground for all citizens based on its federal principle and practice; whereby the southerner (or south-easterner) or the Muslim can become Nigeria's president, as much as the northerner or Christian can become president too; and to do so based on the already entrenched principle of federalism and its rotational and zonal practice.
As is commonly understood in academic disciplines, not least in the Humanities (which locates my scholarly domain), a practice is as important as its principle, and vice versa. Linking principle and practice to the Nigerian context, it is noteworthy that the very nature of Nigeria's nationhood rests entirely on its fragile regional and religious diversity: with over 280 tribes, shared predominantly between Christians and Muslims and nearly 200M people. Its nascent and fragile state dictates no less a commitment to the practice than to the principle of federalism by all stakeholders of the Nigerian project. Its recent history indicates a commonly agreed and well appreciated culture of zoning and rotating the presidency between its geographic north and south (and, by implication, a volatile Muslim-Christian dichotomy). This long-established and accepted practice has facilitated and sustained its unity in diversity and the appropriation of its commonwealth across the regions.
As Nigeria approaches the 2023 election, recent evidence from the presidential nominations of the two major parties, PDP and APC, strongly suggests that the zoning and rotational practice of the Federal character are now being neglected, abandoned or entirely thrown overboard the ship of state. Needless to say, the rotational practice could have safely been abandoned at the beginning of the plan in 1999. That would have been to no region’s disadvantage. Such did not happen. Needful to say, however, that the rotational practice can still be safely abandoned at the end of its journey or tenure. That is, after the rotation has been equally applied to all regions. It can and should then be abandoned and replaced with other ideals, such as meritocracy, which itself is not an exclusive preserve of any region or religion. At such a time and stage, it may then be nationally agreed to abandon rotation for a new practice.
To attempt to scrap the rotation system midway through the journey is unjust, unfair and stands against the tenets of justice and equity. Worst of all, this attempt occurs just when the rotational presidency is the turn of the south and the south-east zone in particular. I mean, the turn of the south-east for the first time, not only since 1999 but going back to 1966 (the last being the Ironsi administration)! Just imagine that for a moment, regardless of the subsequent secessionist attempt. If this was its punishment, we should now say enough, as northerners! This injustice should end and be seen as anathema and a stain on the common conscience of the northerners and indeed of all Nigerians of good conscience.
In light of the preceding understanding, all Nigerians of conscience, northerners, and southerners alike, should unite and stand up against the bullying and buffoonery of the two political parties, APC and PDP. Their bluff should be called off. They should be totally rejected at the ballot box before they destroy the fabric of Nigeria's nationhood. Other small parties that uphold these values should be the alternative third and fourth forces (or more) to be voted to the presidency. To keep silent is to let the perpetrators of this evil continue their hold on power. To keep silent is to let the 'old brigades' to continue with the ploy of tweaking Nigeria's federalism according to their whims and caprices, rather than uphold the federal principle and practice. Now is the time to speak up, stand up and be counted for good. Let's continue the conversation every where and right here at Life & Truth Africa: Nigerian Edition.