Benue CAN cautions against moves to stop power rotation in Nigeria

THe benue State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Nigerian politicians to maintain the power rotation and zoning of principal offices for the purpose of equity.

Its Chairman, Rev. Akpen Leva gave the charge yesterday while reacting to the comments credited to Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria, Nafiu Baba Ahmed, and published in some national dailies.

He maintained that for fair play and power balance for the benefit of the Nigerian society, there was the need for power rotation to meet the yearnings of the Nigeria’s diverse sections with over 250 ethnic nationalities from different regions.

“Each culture, ethnic nationality and region is equally important and the country needs all of them, which is the whole essence of our nationhood,” he stated.

Ahmed had insisted that the Islamic council would reject power rotation to other regions on grounds that democracy was a game of numbers and since they are the majority, they would no longer accept minority leadership simply because of the principle of zoning.

But Rev. Leva warned that any attempt to deprive other regions or nationalities of leadership in Nigeria would be an invitation for problem and division, which he stressed would be a child of tribal reasoning, noting the suggestion was incompatible with the spirit of the nation’s founding fathers.

The cleric also cautioned that Nigeria has grown past such divisive reasoning, which is not only myopic but also capable of causing disharmony and tension in the already fragile political space.

“”I believe that Ahmed comment was his personal opinion and it does not represent the position of the group he claimed he was speaking for and that of Nigerian politicians. We urge Nigerians to disregard his opinion and hold fast to power rotation, which remains the best for the country.”