In 2023, Masari demands a power shift to the south.

In 2023, Masari demands a power shift to the south.

NaijaNews reports that Aminu Bello Masari, the governor of Katsina State, has reiterated his support for a power shift to the country’s south, saying that it would help

Aminu Bello Masari, the governor of Katsina State, has reiterated his support for a power shift to the country’s south, saying that it would help to consolidate the country’s confederation system.

During a press conference held at Masari’s home on Tuesday, he said this in response to questions from journalists.

“Let me be very clear about my position. This constitution was written for us, not the other way around. Yes, the constitution does not require us to shift power, but have you violated any provisions of the constitution by shifting?”

“I still believe that, in my personal opinion as Aminu Bello Masari, until such a time when we have a stable polity, I think rotation or shifting power from time to time will help consolidate our confederation. I support that and I still maintain my stand that I have the constitutional right to make such a comment, ” he said.

Masari said he was a member of the constitutional conference of 1994/95 during which the Federal Character Commission was provided for, adding that he was a member of the transition committee in 1999, and their committee initially suggested that each zone should be given an opportunity of five years through the instrumentality of the constitution, but the suggestion did not see the light of day.

He called on politicians, journalists, and religious and traditional leaders to put the interests of the country above their personal interests as the 2023 general elections approach.

“We should see politics as a way and means of producing leadership under a democratic dispensation. Our politics is still very young. Even from independence to date, you are talking about 60 years, which is important in the life of an individual, but in the life of a nation, it should be “working progress.”

“We should measure where we were yesterday, where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow. The problem is that we are in a hurry that even before we finish crawling, we want to start running,” he said.

He said politicians needed attitudinal change as they needed to appreciate the responsibilities and burden of leadership as well as the consequences of coming forward to contest for any elective office.

“I believe journalists, in particular, have a very important role to play. For instance, as we approach 2023, the attention being created by the media is on the fat salaries and allowances of the National Assembly members, not on what the lawmakers are doing or what they are supposed to do. So the media created a situation whereby everybody wanted to go there because there was money.

“But to be fair to the media, some of us in the national assembly is also helping in creating that false impression by changing their ways of life in such a way that even their friends become envious,” Gov. Masari said.