Mamman Daura ‘qualified to speak on Nigeria’s future’

A group known as The Coalition for Nigeria (CN) says as an elder statesman Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, is qualified to speak on the future of Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Patriot Ode, president of the coalition, tackled those criticising Daura.

In a recent interview aired by BBC Hausa Service, Daura had dismissed zoning and rotation of the nation’s presidency, arguing that competence, not geography, should determine the next president of Nigeria.

“This turn-by-turn was done once, twice, and three times. It is better for this country to be one it should be for the most competent person and not for someone who comes from somewhere,” he had said.

But his comment triggered a wide reaction across the country, with stakeholders, particularly from the south accusing him of being mischievous.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, CN said it is 100 per cent behind Daura “in his quest to ensure that qualitative and best form of leaders for the country emerge in 2023 and beyond”.

“We are of the view that the controversy evoked by the statement from one our most respected elder statesman in the country, Malam Mamman Daura, is not only misplaced but unnecessary due to the noble and patriotic goal it is capable of achieving for the country,” the group said in a statement.

“Besides, it is our considered opinion that if the context of the statement made by Malam Daura can be viewed objectively and without sentiments, the nation would be spared all the uproar and set on the right path to true and quality leadership.

“Malam Mamman Daura, who is known to be one of the closest persons to President  Muhammadu Buhari, had on Tuesday, stated in the course of an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, that competence, not geography should determine the next president of Nigeria in 2023 and beyond.

“He was quoted to have said that, “This turn-by-turn (presidency), it was done once, it was done twice, and it was done thrice… It is better for this country to be one. It should be for the most competent and not for someone who comes from somewhere.”

“This statement if viewed objectively implies that since Nigerians have tried the rotational presidency three times already, it would be better to go for the most qualified candidate in 2023 irrespective of whether he comes from the North or the South.

“But this trite and wise statement has however been given various interpretations by sections of the country, who view it as an attempt by the North to deny other regions in the country the opportunity to have a shot at the presidency as the eight-year tenure of the current administration ends in 2023.

“Malam Daura did not say any region should be favoured for the presidency in 2023. His comment did not in any way show favour to any region or zone, neither did he exclude any region or zone as not being competent to provide credible leadership for the country in 2023 and beyond.

He only sought to emphasise the merit of competence over parochial considerations. What his statement implies is that if the best candidate happens to be from any zone in the country, whether the person is from the South-south, Northeast, Southeast, Northcentral, Southwest or Northwest, that person should automatically qualify to be president of Nigeria.”