A Non-Governmental Organization, The Power Shift Movement, has urged Nigerians to centre 2022 political and leadership conversations to issues meant to drive community development for the people’s benefit.
The group’s National Coordinator, Nonso Nnamani, said in a statement on Monday in Enugu that Nigerians should be reflective by assessing the impacts of almost 24 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.
Nnamani, whose statement was titled: “2022/2023: Away from Clamour for Zoning”, noted that every senatorial zone has had its fair share of political leadership and after 24 years with nothing to show for it.
“Zoning should not overshadow the conversations we ought to be having. Nigerians are going through one of the worst times in history. Insecurity and hunger are ravaging our communities. Zoning conversations only benefit political actors and not the community or its people.”
“What an average Nigerian desires and demands is a community that works and that enables their dreams to thrive.”
“Why do we have local government chairmen? Why do we have the house of assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate? Is it not to ensure that every community is fully represented and no zone or community is being marginalised?”
“Of what use is their role if we still have to fight or scheme for zoning” he said
Nnamani advocated for a new chapter in the country’s political history, where people clamour for community development and good governance.
He said that Nigerians must centre their conversations and come together to elect leaders who have the capacity and the political will to take positive actions that would transform their communities.
Nnamani noted that Nigerians must move away from politics of entitlement that fuels tribalism, segregation and divides communities.
According to him, people should be recognised for their ingenuity, capacity and the content of their character and not by their zones, cultures and tribes.
“if we must be discussing zoning, it should be to give zoning power to a new breed of politicians, who are young, capable, zealous and credible to pilot the dividends of democracy to the people.” He said