The death of Nigeria's former President, Umaru Musa Yar ' Adua has not only left a gaping hole in the country's polity, it has thrown up many candidates in the 2011 presidential election. Yet of all the probable candidates, only Nigeria's former miiltary president, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda has declared his intention to contest the forthcoming election. However his presidential ambition has not gone down well with many Nigerians, given his annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidentiual election.Another probable candidate is current Nigeria's president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Though he has not declared his intention to contest , many Nigerans see his body language as suggestive of such an inclination. Many Nigerians, especially those in the south of the country are already clamouring for him to contest, But the northerners are already divided over this issue. While some believe Jonathan is not supposed to contest because in accordance with the unwritten agreement in the People's Democratic Party, the Presidency has been zoned to the north, others are of the view that President Jonathan has the right to contest.. Those who are against his candidature are already threathening fire and brimstone, noticeably among these are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Gen Babangida .
Still, Should president Goodluck Jonathan contest the 2011 presidentuial electuion election or should the People's Democratic party's so called gentleman's agreement be allowed tio hold sway ? Those are questions which have very serious implications on Nigerians.While I believe that national interest is more important than partisan interest, Nigrians should be more concerned about how to make Nigerea a nation. If we are to achieve that lofty goal, sectiona interests must be thrown overboard.
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