By Emeka Mamah & AbdulSalam Muhammad
KADUNA—AREWA Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday, distanced itself from the debate on the ongoing controversy over the zoning of the presidency. It said the issue was of concern to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and therefore not a constitutional matter.
Insisting that the constitution must guide all political actions in the country, ACF said the debate on zoning was neither the same as the constitutional amendment which the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, embarked upon in the dying days of his regime nor the non-remittance of letters to President Goodluck Jonathan by late Umaru Yar’Adua which necessitated the “doctrine of necessity” that forced reactions from the Forum.

ACF’s position on the debate was made known by its National Chairman, Major General I. B. M. Haruna, during the “round table discussion” on issues affecting North in Kaduna.

High level of disunity

Haruna also lamented the high level of disunity in the erstwhile monolithic North, occasioned by non-cooperation between the organs of ACF and most of the 19 state governors in the North.

In his opening address entitled, “Viability of ACF as a vehicle of northern hegemony and its limit”, Haruna said that there was little or nothing that ACF could do as the matter fell within the purview of a political party which was designing how to share power as it deems fit.

Haruna who advised politicians on the need to “seek to promote democracy” by finding a “workable system that would affect good governance, in a multi-party democratic practice,” noted that ACF was not a partisan organization and was, therefore, constrained by its own constitution to dabble into political matters.

He said: “Recent political events have given rise to questioning the role, purpose and limits to the role of the ACF in the political ferment engendered by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in post Obasanjo’s regime and the passing away of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

“In as much as the Obasanjo’s Constitutional Reform Agenda was to promote his third term and subsequent self succession, the same cannot be said of this later day zoning and rotation, which can be enforced by the PDP or amended by them as they had done in the past.

“PDP, zoning and rotation do not call for any amendment of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria or even the Electoral Law though it is the custom of our political practice sharing power. It, therefore, remains in the purview and political perspective of a political party to share power as they deem fit in adopting as their tactics for cohesion of their party, for promoting federal character, national unity and party loyalty.

“Therefore, ACF as an umbrella body of the historical Northern Region can only fulfill its purpose as set out in its constitution. It is a consultative forum, of the peoples of the erstwhile Northern region. While the ACF has been engaging its efforts to encourage unity in the North and promote security and peace in the North and indeed Nigeria, it is constrained by its constitution and, therefore, it cannot leap into the bounds of a political party’s domestic affairs or the preserves of the 19 Northern Governors.

Promoting democracy

“We have to remind ourselves that in the Nigerian Federation (not confederation) we practice presidential system, (not parliamentary cabinet system where the prime minister is first among equals) where its 150 million people, in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory; its 774 Local Government and its over 250 ethnic nationalities, each has to seek to promote democracy and have to find workable system that would affect good governance, in a multi-party democratic practice.

“In our growth in democracy we seek to build a plural cultural society that shuns domination or marginalization of any group and promotes the upholding of fundamental human rights. ACF is in a hierarchy and at the epic piece, not PDP umbrella, one finds that it is composed of former ‘Arewareans’ who had ruled in Nigeria.

Regrettably, the body’s relationship has not been strengthened because of weaknesses in the contact between the state governor and the former national leaders. This has affected northern unity and the effectiveness of ACF. The resolve of the ACF to face its common challenges depends on the strength of its foundation and that is the state chapter.

Healthy interaction with governors

“The chapters need a healthy interaction with the governors of their states, state authorities and their various ethnic people, to generally nurture a non-partisan plural society.

“Whereas the ACF has reached out to meet with chapters, patrons and members through visits and general meetings and has submitted memoranda to governments and commissions, the ACF, has yet to receive reciprocity from northern political and influential personalities to demonstrate some mutual desire to consult or coordinate our search for progress.

“However there are good signs. Yesterday (Tuesday) we dialogued with the Northern Political Leaders Forum, NPLF: there have been calls in certain quarters that ACF should demonstrate the qualities or effectiveness by acting as a principal, supervisor and dictator instead of consultants.

“We need to further better understanding of our different roles. To bridge the gap some patrons had noted that the lack of extensive discussions involving the top and lower tiers of ACF is the main cause and, therefore, suggested that ACF should initiate a meeting of leaders and elders. ACF, therefore, incorporated the leadership and elders’ meeting as a part of its 10th anniversary programme.

“It is to be noted that this meeting and the previous one were not conceived or motivated by the recent debates on zoning and rotation. While we recall that the ACF had throughout the debates on the non-transmitting of the President’s illness; and the ‘doctrine of necessity’ conjured by the legislature maintained as its policy that whatever course a debate takes or decision that is taken should be a decision that is consistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the laws.

“The ACF’s policies and activities are founded on this premise of constitutionalism of its own constitution as well. We at ACF rein our northern sentiments and emotions because we desire to become a leading civilized society under the laws, ethic, morality and the tradition and customs, so well established.”

Peaceful and stable North

Quoting the late Chairman of ACF, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Gen. Haruna said: “We believe that a disunited North cannot be an asset to the unity and harmony of Nigeria. A riotous, intolerant North will be a liability to the unity, harmony and development of this nation.

Our federation is so closely knit that instability in one part affects the whole. A united, peaceful and stable North can only strengthen our federation. These are virtues the ACF will endeavour always to foster.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Political Committee of the ACF, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, had lamented what he described as the lukewarm attitude of some northerners to issues concerning the region stressing: “We should examine ourselves and see whether we are still one North.”

While noting that “this should not be the beginning of the disintegration of the North” Gusau said: “Most northerners now see themselves, first as individuals before seeing themselves as northerners. The North should harmonize its interests with national interest,” adding that “the North needed unity now more than before.”

Yakasai hails Northern Govs

Elderstatesman, Salihu Abubakar Tanko Yakasai, yesterday, hailed the decision of the Northern Governors Forum to retain zoning and rotation as entrenched in the PDP constitution.

Reacting to the outcome of the meeting of the Northern Governors in Kaduna, Yakasai described it as “a victory for the resolute resistance put up by the North to safeguard its right.”

Yakassai said it was a clear demonstration that “once we can rise up in unity to defend our interest, nobody can take us for a ride,” adding: “What is needed now is for the northerners in PDP leadership to realize that our people will not take it kindly should anyone among them decides to betray their trust.”

Among those who attended the “round table discussion” were Gen Haruna, Alhaji Saidu Barda, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Mr. Hassan Hyet, Brig. Gen. David Bamigboye, Col. Musa Shehu, Major General David Jemibewon, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, Dr Nasirudeen Usman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed, Hajia Halima Alfa, Alhaji Audu Sule, Mohammed Abdul and Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed.

Others include Alhaji Bala Sokoto, Mr. Anthony Sani, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, Alhaji Garuba Mohammed, Alhaji Ahmed Jalingo, Isa Kachako, Sheik Jarma, Gen. Garba Wushishi, Mr. John Paul, Burka Zarma, Idris Wada, Alhaji Aminu Attah and Mustapha Ahmed.