Prominent political scientist and administrator Akin Osuntokun expressed concerns in an eye-opening interview on Arise TV regarding the unequal power distribution among the regions of Southern Nigeria, specifically pointing out the Southeast’s historical exclusion from high leadership roles.During the discussion, Osuntokun reflected on the effectiveness of Nigeria’s North-South power rotation system.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
“That was a question the rotation between the North and South was set to address, and that succeeded in doing that,” he acknowledged. However, he quickly pointed to a significant disparity within the Southern zones themselves.
The political analyst drew attention to what he sees as an inequitable concentration of power within the Yoruba community. “It is not fair for Obasanjo to have spent eight years as president, Osibanjo spent eight years as vice president, and now you are having another Yoruba person as president,” he stated, pointing out the stark contrast with “a situation in which one of the zones in the South, the Southeast, has never been in either position.”
This perspective, according to Osuntokun, has significantly influenced political alignments and support patterns. He revealed that this consideration would likely shape Afenifere’s future political affiliations, stating, “That is the position I believe, and I’m sure certainly, Afenifere is likely to also take in choosing a party to belong to.”
Osuntokun also explained that this principle of equitable representation was a key factor in their previous support for Peter Obi. “That was what led us into supporting Obi the first time around,” he noted, adding, “Apart from the fact that Obi himself is quite an outstanding candidate in his own right.”
The interview highlights ongoing debates about regional representation and political equity in Nigeria’s democratic system, particularly regarding the Southeast’s historical exclusion from top leadership positions.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
