Prof. Ango Abdullahi: Jonathan Will Lose If He Runs   

Published on August 30, 2010 by TheNEWS   ·   1 Comment

Iwas rather surprised that Ango Abdullahi, a professor, chose to pitch his tent with those who believe in the zoning formula. I expected a man of his calibre to be more interested in having someone who can take the country out of the woods as the next president of the federation. It is very sad that he is more concerned about which geopolitical section of the country our next president comes from. It is even sadder that he is craving for the person to come from his own geopolitical section. Anyway, sometimes, when you expect a lot of wisdom and depth from somebody you hold so high, he or she exhibits shallowness.
Peter Oduyemi,
Osogbo.

As far as I am concerned, the issue of zoning has been overflogged. Zoning obviously is not the best method of seeking the best candidate for the presidential seat. Reading about what people like Ango Abdullahi think always makes me weep for the country. I expected a man of his calibre to be more concerned about who can take the country to greater heights instead of being concerned about where the next president comes from. Come to think of it, are visionary leaders planted in a particular region? Shouldn’t we be looking for who can make a difference in our lives, not where such person comes from? Nigerians should be given the freedom to choose whoever they desire as the next president.
Bitrus Ibrahim,
Jos.

If you listen regularly to politicians from the northern part of Nigeria, you would understand that, no matter the level of education, most of them think alike when it comes to issues concerning the country. Therefore, one is not surprised reading Ango Abdullahi’s outbursts and his rigid position on zoning. You would rather laugh him off as another northerner desperate to see a fellow from his part of the country become the president of Nigeria, regardless of whether the person can actually perform in office. If our so-called elites reason this way, is there any hope that Nigeria would one day be free from her people putting ethnicity above nationality?
Rauf Ibrahim,
Offa.

Why are people flogging the zoning issue as if it is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. Is the fomula not a covert arrangement among members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to enable the party win past elections? Who said the arrangement cannot be changed? Is Nigeria really made up of only three regions—North, East and West? Does God plant our best leaders mainly in these regions? Since independence, most of those who assumed power have been from these areas; how have they affected the country? What have they achieved other than to fan the embers of division among us? Haba! Why are we always afraid of change?
Oliver Nwachukwu,
Enugu.

The way Nigerians are pushing the zoning issue underlines the fact that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party remains the largest and most powerful party in the country. If the people are saying the party’s candidate is likely to be the next president, then there is no need for presidential election next year. PDP’s national primaries should be used to determine who becomes our next president.
Sanya Dalero,
Ilorin.

There is no doubt that Professor Ango Abdullahi knows a lot about Nigerian politics and has good ideas about how Nigeria should be governed well. I am, however, disappointed that all he was insisting on was to have a northerner as our next president. He should be told that God does not plant visionary leaders in a particular region. Someone should remind him that a country is not left in the hands of people who do nothing other than to piece past events together with a view to using them to rule one day.
Seun Folarin,
Ikeja.

Elections are coming again and it is during such periods that we hear people talking wisely, out of point or foolishly. After reading the interview with Professor Ango Abdullahi, I must say I was disappointed by the ignorance he exhibited on so many issues, especially on which region provided what to support the country and his position on the zoning issue. It is always painful when one is forced to read or listen to people basking in ignorance. If an educated person as Ango is a champion of tribal politics, then the country is doomed.
Enitan Akintogbola,
Ilesha.

Going by the way people are dwelling on the zoning issue, one is forced to believe that  President Goodluck Jonathan may not be nominated at his party’s national primaries. But when we remember the issue of zoning was agreed by PDP members in order to win past elections, we will agree it definitely is open to amendments, including not enforcing it at all. It is thus possible that our amiable president may well gain his party’s ticket. What I cannot understand now is, why the issue has become a national issue. I hope this zoning issue will not lead to bloodshed.
Dolapo Sobowale,
Ifaki.

Professor Ango Abdullahi was right when he said it is nonsensical to think that the area of the country that produces the greater potion of its resources should produce the leadership. That is indeed undemocratic. But it is undemocratic too for a particular section of the country to always want to produce the nation’s president.
Philip Umoren,
Uyo.

I agree with Professor Abdullahi that President Goodluck Jonathan would not have been vice-president, not to talk of becoming president, had he not benefited from the zoning policy of the Peoples Democratic Party. Therefore, his intention to contest the 2011 presidential election is tantamount to biting the hand that fed him
Segun Awoyemi,
Ibadan.

The fact that Goodluck Jonathan is from the Niger-Delta does not make him the right candidate for the presidency. Just as Professor Ango Abdullahi said, “Where was the South-South in pre-independent Nigeria when the other regions produced the cash crops and other commodities that fetched the revenue that was used to run the country?”
Umaru Mohammed,
Sokoto.

I don’t think Ango Abdullahi has any moral right to determine whether President Goodluck Jonathan should contest next year’s presidential election or not. We still remember the high-handed and irresponsible manner with which he administered Ahmadu Bello University when he was the vice-chancellor.
Niran Adeyemi,
Ilorin.

I refuse to believe Goodluck Jonathan will not win the 2011 presidential election if he contests, as predicted by Professor Ango Abdullahi. Is Ango God? What did he base his prediction on? On the strength of the Peoples Democratic Party? Its weakness? On Goodluck Jonathan not being good enough to be president? Or could it be he was just talking for the sake of talking, like most Nigerian politicians do?
Emeka Okafor,
Enugu.

I agree totally with Prof. Abdullahi that President Jonathan does not merit being president of this country. How does he really merit the position he is occupying currently? It could have been anybody from the Niger-Delta. The truth is, the President has been a lucky politician, and that credential is not good enough to make him the best man to hold that position.
Efe Omonode,
Benin-City.

Who is Ango Abdullahi in Nigerian politics to predict that Jonathan will not win should he contest in the 2011 elections? I don’t believe PDP would stop an incumbent who is qualified from contesting in an election open to all. The North has no viable candidate. IBB, Buhari and Atiku are pursuing hidden motives in their drive to become the next President of Nigeria. Jonathan surely stands a chance to win if he chooses to contest.
Rukayat Mohammed,
Agege.

I think Ango Abdullahi has a valid point on the zoning issue. However, my take is that PDP or any other party at that should present candidates that are above board for Nigerians to choose from. I really do not support zoning as it will divide the country even further. However, to ensure peace and fair participation, zoning can be applied without losing sight for of common sense and credibility.
Matthew Akowayo,
Sagamu.

Professor Ango Abdullahi has seen it all. As an elder statesman, he should get some respect. However, on the issue of zoning, I think he was talking as a northerner, not a Nigerian. Northerners are not happy that power has shifted to the South-South. I think PDP should readdress its stand on the zoning issue so that people can have a clearer picture of which way it is going.
Akpan Edet,
Calabar.