2023 PRESIDENCY: Akeredolu reacts to Northern govs’ rejection of zoning

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has reacted to the Northern Governors’ position of zoning the 2023 presidency to the southern part of the country.

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It was reported that the governors met on Monday at the Council Chamber (Sir Kashim Ibrahim House) of the Kaduna State government house.

The governors, under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, held the meeting jointly with some traditional rulers and Emirs from the region led by the Sultan of Sokoto.

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In their position made known in a communique after their meeting, the governors condemned zoning as earlier adopted by their southern counterparts, arguing that zoning is not constitutional.

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“The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall secure at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 2/3 states of the federation. In the case of run-up simple majority win the election,” the communique read in part.

The Northern Governors also rejected the stand of their southern counterparts on Value Added Tax (VAT) collection, saying that VAT collection by state governments would cause economic hardship and multiple taxations.

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Reacting to the position of the Northern governors, Akeredolu said his Northern colleagues have expressed and indeed exercised their rights under the freedom of expression.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said the Southern Governors remain resolute on their demand.

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He said, “They (northern governors) have expressed and indeed exercised their rights under the freedom of expression. No one can stop them from expressing themselves.”