- * 'Only A Southern Presidency In 2023 Will Usher Peace'...Hon Shina Peller
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
As Nigeria counts down to it's 2023 general elections, a National Assembly member representing Iseyi/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Honourable Shina Abiola Peller, has vigorously canvassed for a presidential power shift to the Southern Region of Nigeria, as President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner from the northwest geo-political zone, completes his constitutional eight years tenure in 2023.
Hon Peller expressed this position in Minna, Niger state on Tuesday, January 18, 2023, when he paid a courtesy visit to the nation's former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida at his hilltop residence in Minna.
The Federal lawmaker had arrived Minna in company of his few friends and political associates and headed to the hilltop residence of former President, Babangida where they held closed-door meeting which lasted for about an hour.
Details of their discussions were not made known to journalists, but the meeting may not be unconnected with the current situation in parts of the country, including the unfolding political scenario ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Speaking shortly after his meeting with General Babangida, Hon. Peller called on politicians to have a change of political style that would involve an-all inclusiveness. He insists that only the emergence of a President from the Southern part of Nigeria will bring peace and stability to Nigeria in 2023.
Hon. Peller added that in the spirit of national equity, fairness and justice for all citizenry irrespective of tribal or religious inclinations, it is important that the Presidency is zoned to the South by all the political parties. Political actors, especially from the northern part of Nigeria, he said, should consider what becomes of Nigeria's future after the 2023 election in their individual political pursuits.
“The most important thing we Nigerians needed to think about is the peace of the nation at the moment. The next President of this country, should, as of political right based on the existing power rotation understanding, come from the South. Honouring that political understanding would help in promotion peace in the country.
"For us to collectively promote peace, we must understand that it is only natural to adhere to a mutually agreed rotation of the Presidency of this country between the North and the South of Nigeria after every eight years of tenure of an incumbent president. We should therefore not do otherwise.
Peller said his visit to Minna was part of his Ayedero peace tour which is his mandate as the Ayedero of Yorubaland (promoter of peace in the land). He added that the peace tour is necessary in the light of the forthcoming general elections. “Right now, we, as law abiding and patriotic Nigerians, should put the peace and unity of Nigeria and Nigerians first before individual's political interests”, Peller stated.
However, while appealing to politicians to change their style of politics and allow the electorates and Nigerian masses to have a say in who governs or represents in the coming dispensation, Hon. Peller encouraged eligible voters to identify candidates who have criteria that can build bridges of oneness across the diverse ethnic groups.
He argued that the purpose of his peace tour may be misconstrued to be a campaign effort to garner support for a yet unknown Southern Presidential candidate. "But whoever wanted to read meaning to the peace tour should do so.
He stated that, “The nationwide tour is intended to ensure that peace is maintained across the over 250 ethnic nationalities before, during and after the 2023 general elections. We are on the campaign year and there have already been issues of insecurity in parts of Nigeria.
"The level of insecurity and nature is bound to escalate from one part of the country to another, so we must be able to take practical steps towards ensuring lasting peace. The peace tour, starting with Niger state will entail going round the six geo-political zones especially places affected by insecurity and armed banditry and we hope to entrench peace across the country”.
Peller told journalists that former President, General Babangida, has given his support for the peace tour and had tasked him to also ensure that the youths do not allow themselves to be used as tools for self destruction before, during the campaigns and the elections proper.
The lawmaker and his peace tour team also visited the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Farouk Bahago, and the Emir requested him to endeavour to work towards ensuring that Nigerian youths put peace and unity of the country first during the coming elections. NNL.
