The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has advocated for the continued retention of political power in Southern Nigeria over the next four to six years to promote balance and inclusivity.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Musawa argued that zoning remains essential due to Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with ethnic divisions in politics.
“I think zoning is important only because we have not been able to get over the doldrums of ethnicity, and we’re not yet seeing ourselves purely as Nigerians,” she said.
Addressing the country’s political landscape following President Buhari’s administration, Musawa stressed that a shift in leadership to the South after eight years of Northern presidency was necessary and justified.
“After eight years of President Buhari, who is from the North, it was only fair that power moved to the South,” she said. “Hopefully, one day we’ll rise above ethnic politics and judge candidates solely on their competence. But until then, to ensure fairness, power should remain in the South for at least the next four to six years.”
The minister also mentioned her poem, I Am a Nigerian, which promotes national unity and is set to be rebroadcast on national media.