Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has insisted that the state will not back out of the zoning formula adopted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 to rotate the governorship seat between the three senatorial zones of the state. He said this to uphold the principles of equity, justice and fair play.
The governor argued that the arrangement has worked so well and of immense benefit to the state, hence it would be maintained, even if the formula has been discarded at the federal level and in some states in the country.
Governor Aliyu was reacting to the recent indication of intent by an aspirant from Zone ‘A’, who insisted he will contest the governorship seat, despite the fact that the state party leadership had zone it to Zone ‘C.’
It will be recalled Zone ‘A’ had already held the position between 1999 and 2007; Zone ‘B’ that produced the incumbent governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, from 2007 to 2015, while Zone ‘C’ is expected to have its share in 2015.
Aliyu, who stated this at the Eid-el-Kabir mini-Durbar and traditional Sallah homage by the Emir of Minna, organized by the state Ministry of Tourism, alleged that some individuals are deliberately out to dislodge the zoning formula after benefitting from it, using sentiments to confuse the people.
Insisting, he said; “We call for peace. I want to say on the zoning, if other states say they have dropped the zoning formula, we in Niger State have not.
“We notice that some people are trying to destabilise the zoning arrangement using religion and tribal sentiments. It is wrong; we must stop this politics of religion and tribal sentiments. Zoning is working well in Niger state.”
