A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe says zoning of the 2023 presidency to the South would help promote Nigeria’s unity.
He noted that so important had zoning and rotational presidency become to Nigerians that they were in the nation’s “unwritten constitution”.
Igbokwe, who is the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage Services, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Ikeja on Tuesday.
The governor’s aide assured that the party would emerge victorious in the two bye-elections in the state slated for October 31.
The bye-elections are those of Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe II State Constituency as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Igbkowe, who spoke after being given “Excellence in Leadership Award” by Ndigbo in Lagos APC, a socio-political group, noted that he did not see any competition from any political party in the election, saying the APC was the only party trusted by Lagosians.
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“APC will win the two bye-elections; the party will emerge victoriously.
“I don’t see any competition from any party.
“As far as I am concerned, whoever emerges as our candidates, will win. APC is the party for Lagosians,’’ he said.
Igbokwe, however, said the party would go into the elections with all seriousness to make the victory overwhelming.
Speaking on zoning of the presidency, the APC chieftain said it was imperative to rotate the presidency between the North and South to strengthen the fabric of unity.
He said those who posited that zoning could be jettisoned, because it was not provided for in the constitution, should understand the peculiarity of the country’s democratic experience.
The governor’s aide said a country with diverse ethnic groups and interests could not afford not to zone the presidency.
“There is an understanding in Nigeria that power should rotate between North and the South.
“That is normal to further strengthen unity and build the nation.
“It is in the unwritten constitution; it is the way to go.’’
He said the argument to put merit ahead of zoning in determining the country’s president does not hold water as “there are champions in all regions’’.
Igbokwe thanked Ndigbo in Lagos APC for the award, saying it reflected the confidence reposed in him as the apex leader of the group.
He said he would continue to work tirelessly to make the group a formidable force in the party.
He called for unity in Ndigbo in Lagos APC, adding that that was the only way to achieve the objectives of the group.