SIR: Last week, Northern Elders Forum made a proclamation that there should be no zoning of political offices. The spokesman of the forum stated further that Nigeria has outgrown the issue of zoning in political parties for elections. He categorically mentioned that selections must be based on merit and no more on zoning.
From the ongoing deliberations, it is obvious that the voices of the northern politicians are loudest over the need to discard the zoning system and let merit be the order of the day.
Most of the politicians in the southern states are apparently of the opinion that disregarding zoning might give their northern counterparts an edge over them particularly those from the minority areas.
There is a fact that needs the attentions of the politicians to even as the debate on zoning rages on. If the northern politicians are arguing that zoning of political offices should be jettisoned and replaced with merit, then this advocacy or decision must equally be extended to other areas where the likes of zoning system is being operated in Nigeria.
That is, the federal character system in employment and appointments must be abolished and merit should be the only yardstick all positions and promotions.
Secondly, the catchment area formula for admission into federal government schools and tertiary institutions must also be abolished while merit without compromise, be the rule henceforth.
Thirdly, wherever quota system is being used for any form of appointment, allocations and location of government projects, merit must take pre-eminence after uncompromisingly appraising the feasibility of such projects.
Whatever is good for the goose is also good for the gander. We must always avoid self – centredness when pursuing personal ambitions. Many states and regions have paid devastating prices to keep other states alive. When it now came to political positions, nobody wants to care about others anymore.
We must always stand for policies that will promote fairness, equity, justice, peace, harmony and progress; not what will divide or fuel disintegration.
If zoning of political offices must be eradicated, then all other similar policies such as federal character, catchment area system, and quota system among others must equally be eradicated to avoid the dilemma of speaking with one side of the mouth. Nigeria is a great and delicate country and caution must not be thrown into the air just for the brief political gains of a few individuals. We must always remember posterity with the fear of God in our thoughts, words and actions.
- Jide Owatunmise,
roadsafetytrainers@yahoo.com