Teaching Comparative

Regionalism in Nigeria

Nigerian political parties have to demonstrate nation-wide support. But regional organizations that are not parties can still exert influence. It seems that the Northern Union is seeking to play a "kingmaker" role in the upcoming presidential election. The NU might also be setting the stage for greater disunity down the road. How would a candidate endorsed by the NU appeal for votes in the south?

This report comes from This Day (Lagos).

Nigeria: Northern Elders' to Assess Yar'adua, Buhari, Others

"The Northern Union (NU), a group of elders from the 19 Northern States, will soon screen the presidential candidates of all the political candidates and adopt the most credible one who will then be sold to the electorate in the region...

"Among the candidates to appear before the NU panel are Alhaji Unaru Yar'Adua (PDP), Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) (ANPP), Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa (DPP) and Vice President Atiku Abubakar (AC).

"The union also appealed to traditional rulers, members of the civil society groups and other stakeholders across the country to ensure that the coming general elections are free, credible and non-violent.

"It called on elegible voters to turn-out en-masse and vote for credible candidates...

"[Chairman of the union's Council of Elders', Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki] also noted that after the union has successfully achieved the idea of having the leading parties to nominate Northerners as their presidential flagbearers, the people need to be interested in ensuring only credible candidates with vision for taking the country into the comity of developed countries emerged as president.

"He further enumerated the qualities that the next Nigeria President should have: 'We want a President for Nigeria by Nigerians and a President of Nigeria, a President who believes in rule of law and democracy, a President who believes in federalism with a very small Federal Government but bigger State governments and a President, who believes in social justice so that those who have been left out he would try to bring in and those left behind, he would help seriously to catch up, especially with knowledge that 70 per cent of the poverty is in the North.'"

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Labels: Nigeria, politics

posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:58 AM