Northeast, north central, southeast yet to benefit from zoning of presidency – Saraki  

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has expressed concerns over the zoning debate across the country towards the 2023 general elections. Saraki argued that zoning should be taken beyond north/south dichotomy but extended to micro entities. The former senate president emphasized that the zoning of the president has shifted between the northwest, southwest and south-south, pointing out that the northeast, north central and southeast are yet to benefit from the zoning scheme.

Saraki stated that those who have benefitted from the zoning scheme should not be participating in the new arrangement.

The former senate president, however, expressed that in the preparations for the 2023 general elections, parties should look beyond zoning in the selection of presidential candidates, but search for capable candidate that can solve the problems of the country.

Saraki had in a media interaction declared: “When you talk about zoning, yes, you must consider zoning, but when we talk about zoning, it can’t just be an issue of north/south because you cannot tell me that the southwest will say they are disenfranchised in the possibility of political office; neither can you say the south-south.

“But the reality is that the northeast, north central and southeast have not had Presidency or Vice Presidency. But where the country is, with the challenges before the country, we must bring in other issues.

“We did it when we wanted to look for the National Chairman of our party. we went seeking for who we felt was the best that would help the party.”

Saraki, a former Governor of Kwara State, maintained that he has what is needed to provide leadership for the development the country. He said that he has the energy, knowledge, and all other requisite capacities to be president, including networking across the country.

Saraki highlighted:  “I believe I have what it takes to lead Nigeria.

“I am not someone who shies away from taking up challenges. I am not someone who does not know the issues or someone who does not have the energy and vibrancy to address those issues.

“More importantly, I am someone that can reach out across the political divide, based on my antecedents. I am someone who can reach out across the ethnicity divide and across the religious divide”.

Saraki maintained: “There are people who can provide solutions to the problems of the country if you give them the opportunity.

“I think it will be unfair to use one paintbrush for everybody.

“But I can speak for myself that everywhere I have been, I have always left it better than I found it and there are many people also like me.”

Saraki has been consulting across the country, seeking support for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).