There has always been argument relating zoning political officers
with mediocrity. As a demerit of the zoning formular, a lot of people feel
apportioning political and government offices to sections of the country would boomerang
to perpetuate incompetency and unpopular choices amongst the people.
Citing the case of Sen. David Mark for instance, we can
imagine the wealth of experience the man has garnered since 1999 when he was
first elected to the Nigerian Senate. Today, he and Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo
from Kano State remain the highest ranking senators of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria presently serving their fourth consecutive terms in the Nigerian Senate.
Back at home, in Zone C Senatorial District of Benue State
where the Senate President comes from, there have been agitations in favour of
zoning, which apparently presupposes that Sen. David Mark passes on the
senatorial ticket of Zone C to another community or perhaps individual as is
the African or Nigerian practice (federal character principle).
However, today’s democracy where the legislature exists,
ranking legislators remain imperative in the sustenance of democracy through
lawmaking, representation and other modus operandi of the parliament. How then
do we realize a legislature which has Senators and Representatives who have
spent over 35 years in the business of governance and democracy? Obviously,
zoning cannot and shall not encourage this kind of situation.
While the Senate President of Nigeria has received applause
and commendations from different quarters on his exemplary leadership style in
the Senate (evident by the smooth operation of the Senate since he took over
and arguably the only Senate President who would have successfully served for
two terms in Nigeria), most of his kin’s men feel Senator David has not adequately
achieved his mandate as a representative of Zone C. Invariably, the man has
dual portfolio, first, as the representative of the people of Zone C in Benue
State and secondly, as Senate President of Nigeria. There is no gainsaying the
fact that, the man David Mark has encountered challenges to remain in the
Nigerian Senate since 1999. His successes at the polls and election tribunal
put him amongst the most maverick Nigerian politicians of his time. At one
time, his fellow contenders for the position where encouraged to step down,
since it was more than just being elected as senator but ascending the height
of the coveted senate president seat. Of course, the Idoma people would prefer
to have the Senate President than a mere representative, given their marginalization
in their quest for the position of governor of Benue State.
In the entire elective including other public service positions
in Nigeria, the clamor for zoning persists. Issues such as greed, corruption
and personal aggrandizement constitute the reason for zoning. This means that purposeful
representation and leadership will likely do away with apportioning positions
which in most times, disregard the best fit and competent candidate from
assuming such positions.
However, Sen. David Mark must also draw a line between
a representative of Zone C Senatorial District and Senate President of Nigeria.
One would have naturally imagined that as Senate President, it would be double
advantage to his people, given his increased affluence to attract more dividends
of democracy to his people, but agitations from some quarters suggest otherwise
(I stand to be corrected!).
Hence, to what extent do we draw the line between self and
community interest against national interest and development?
