Stakeholders want Adamawa guber slot zoned to North-central

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Some stakeholders in Adamawa state have begun clamour for the governorship slot to be zoned to the North central part of the state.

Murtala Nyako, the governor of the state was recently impeached by the state Assembly with its Speaker, Umaru Fintiri, acting as the governor of the state.

A bye election is expected to fill the vacuum created by the Nyako’s impeachment and the resignation of his deputy, James Ngilari within the next 90 days.

Meanwhile, the issue of zoning has become dominant in the state’s politics ahead of the bye election that is yet to be scheduled by the Independent National Electorla Commission (INEC).

A PDP member, Mallam Abdullahi Isa, who spoke to journalists on the development yesterday said in the interest of fairness and party’s principle, the central zone deserved the slot this time around.

“Since former Gongola to present Adamawa, we had four civilian governors and none of them is from central zone.

“Abubakar Barde, Bamanga Tukur and Murtala Nyako are from South while Saleh Michika and Boni Haruna are from North”, Isa pointed out.

Also commenting on the zoning fever in APC, Mr. Phineas Padio said zoning has now become part and parcel of Nigerian politics and political parties were being forced by the development to give it a serious consideration.

Reports indicate that though the state’s APC and PDP were yet to make a categorical statement on whether zoning will be used in nominating their candidates for the coming governorship bye-election, aspirants and many supporters of the respective parties are not relenting in pushing for zoning to be given the priority.

So far touted aspirants from the “favored” central zone under PDP include the former State Minister for Health, Dr. Idi Hong, former Executive Secretary, (UBEC) Dr. Ahmed Modibbo, former gubernatorial candidate of defunct ACN, Eng. Marcus Gundiri , former Senator, Abubakar Girei and a serving state Assembly lawmaker, Barr. Jerry Kumdisi.

On the side of APC, the aspirants from central zone include former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu, former National Boundary Commission’s boss, Dahiru Bobbo, former Commissioner for Local Government, Salihu Bakari and a national chieftain of APC, Boss Mustapha.

However, there are other formidable aspirants under PDP from northern and southern zones of the state who are kicking against any zoning arrangement such as the former military governor of Lagos, Buba Marwa, political activist, Umar Ardo and former Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak (PDP).