THE Presidency has reacted to the views expressed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s closest nephew on BBC Hausa Service, Malam Mamman Daura, that zoning should be jettisoned for competence.
Newsden had reported Daura saying,, “This turn by turn – it was done once, it was done twice, it was done trice; it is better for this country to be one; it should be for the most competent and not for someone who comes from somewhere.”
His reactions elcited several reactions from prominent Nigerians and groups that reminded him that Buhari was elected into office based on zoning.
The Presidency in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu and released in Abuja on Saturday, said Daura expressed himself as an elder statesman.
According to the statement, Daura, ”does not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right.
”We have received numerous requests for comments on the interview granted by Malam Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew to the BBC Hausa Service.
”It is important that we state from the onset that as mentioned by the interviewee, the views expressed were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the President or his administration.
”At age 80, and having served as editor and managing director of one of this country’s most influential newspapers, the New Nigerian, certainly, Malam Mamman qualifies as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under our constitution and laws of the land.
”The issues discussed during the interview, centred around themes on how the country could birth an appropriate process of political dialogue, leading to an evaluation, assessment and a democratic outcome that would serve the best interest of the average Nigerian irrespective of where they come from.
”These issues remain at the heart of our evolving and young democracy, and as a veteran journalist, scholar and statesman, Malam Mamman has seen enough to add his voice to those of many other participants.”
