ABUJA — Former Rivers State Governor and political heavyweight Rotimi Amaechi has thrown down the gauntlet at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, making a pointed remark on the simmering zoning controversy that continues to convulse Nigerian opposition politics ahead of the next electoral cycle.
In a statement that has set political tongues wagging, Amaechi declared that since Atiku himself does not subscribe to the principle of zoning, there is no basis for further debate on the matter — and that the question of who flies the party’s presidential flag should instead be decided through an open primary.
“Former Vice President Atiku said he doesn’t believe in zoning, so let’s go to the primary.”
— Rotimi Amaechi
The remarks are widely interpreted as Amaechi signalling his own readiness to contest, while simultaneously holding Atiku to his stated position against zoning — a principle that many in the South have insisted must be upheld to ensure equitable power rotation.
The statement is expected to further inflame an already tense debate within opposition ranks as parties prepare for their internal processes ahead of the general election season.
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