Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, on thursday said the North must be allowed to produce the president in 2015 in the interest of justice and in line with the zoning policy of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which began about 12 years ago. In an interview with the BBC Hausa service monitored in Abuja, the former president also said that the Northern Political Leaders Forum did not enter into any agreement with President Goodluck Jonathan before the just concluded general elections.
“There was no any pact. We that insisted on the retention of the zoning policy did not shift our ground because it is a written agreement and the PDP’s constitution has not been amended. And I believe, for our harmonious coexistence, the rotation of power is in the best interest of this country.
“Even the PDP, because it wants the support of the people, adopted the zoning policy in its constitution in line with the federal character principles in the Nigerian constitution,” Babangida said.
He said if there is fairness, by 2015, power should come back to the north as long as the zoning policy remains in the PDP constitution. He also expressed hope the zoning clause will remain and that northerners would have room to aspire for the presidency in 2015.
On the fears in some quarters that the zoning agreement may be breached in 2015 as President Jonathan did in 2011 and went ahead to win the election, Babangida said: “You will have to wait until the time comes and see what will happen. I believe there will be fairness and I know the people of Nigeria want the truth to be followed. A northerner has every right to come out in 2015 and say he is the one to be voted and he would hinge his decision on the provisions of the party.”
The former military ruler also ruled out running for president in 2015 but said he can play advisory role when the time comes.
On the just concluded elections, Babangida said: “The 2011 elections were better than the ones of 2003 and 2007. So we are improving.”
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