It is an insult to suggest only North has competent people in Nigeria — Clark furious over Daura's comment

Statement by President Muhammadu Buhari's nephew, Mamman Daura, suggesting that the country favors competence over zoning or power rotation between the North and South, has unsurprisingly left the South red-faced.

Daura had suggested in a rare interview he granted the Hausa Service of the BBC, which was monitored in Abuja, on Tuesday, that past attempts at power rotation did the country more harm than good, since most of those who found their way to power weren't competent enough.


He said, “Rotation has been done once, twice and three times; it is important that this nation is united as one; the most qualified/competent should be elected and not someone who comes from a particular zone.”

Backing Daura's suggestion is a fellow Northerner, Dr. Junaid Mohammed.

Junaid said, “If you are talking about democracy you must allow free choice. Competence, integrity and truthfulness must be the kind of qualities to look for in a leader.

“I hope those who have now seen the light are sincere. We have to accept that zoning and rotation which we have practised for over two decades has not worked. The ultimate test of any process is if it has delivered.



“You don’t choose people to lead on the basis of returning a favour. All the leaders we have produced based on this faulty premise of rotation have not delivered why should we continue with it?”

But down South, there's disquietness as leaders accuse the North of trying to play the smart card.

Elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, said in a statement that Daura's comment was provoking as it suggests only the North have competent people capable of leading the country.

Clark made the statement while featuring as a guest on Democracy Today, a programme on AIT which aired on Wednesday.


He said, “I’m not surprised at the principle statement by Mamman Daura. He has no political background; he hasn’t held any office in this country; he doesn’t belong to any political party, so he has not got any political experience. ”

“The main fact that he is permanently a resident in Aso Rock as adviser to his uncle is not enough for him to make irresponsible statement that could jeopardise the unity of this country.

“To jettison zoning is looking for chaotic situation in this country and there will be no one Nigeria, united Nigeria because no one will be a slave to the others.”

Clark maintained that any move to reject zoning would not reflect positively on ensuring unity in the country.



“I met him (Daura) for the first time in my life, now he has a privilege of residing permanently in Aso Rock, being the leader of the cabal, being the man who is advising. What is he advising?” he asked.

“No one prevents him from being a nephew to his uncle, Muhammadu Buhari, from advising him on family matters. He has no right to stay permanently without any official appointment in Aso Rock and thereby having the privilege of enjoying the government activities.

“Now he doesn’t want rotation to continue. Let me say this: nobody is a fool; who’s fooling who in this country?


“Every region in this country has people with reputation, capable, intelligent and are today wasting away because some people what to be the overlord of this country.

“So, if we want to have a united Nigeria and practise true democracy, there must be a rotation of the presidency between the north and south.

“Who are they now to say that they are rejecting rotation in the favour of competence? Are they more competent than any other Nigerian in one place?



“The solution is that when Buhari leaves, let the rotation go to the south as recommended by the national conference. We must have a united Nigeria based on equality, otherwise there will be no Nigeria.”