THE zoning battle deepened Thursday, with the G-15, led by ex-President Ibrahim Babangida, ex-Finance Minister Adamu Ciroma and ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, putting three issues before the G-20 – the group coordinated by Chief Solomon Lar.
The two Northern groups are expected to streamline their positions on zoning, if they reach a common ground at their meeting in Abuja.
The meeting was underway at Protea Hotel, last night.
The G-15, which has been adamant on zoning, is demanding clarifications on the three issues before it could come up with its decision.
A source in G-15, said they have isolated three issues and if they are able to satisfactorily address these, it will shape their final position on zoning.
First, we have asked them to provide convincing reasons why they decided to jettison zoning.
Secondly, they said they (the G-20) acted in the interest of the North in dumping zoning but we want them to be specific on how the North will benefit.
"They also claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan should run in 2011 because the mandate with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was a joint ticket. The ticket will expire in 2015, where will the power shift to if Jonathan is allowed to complete the mandate.
"We want to know whether another Southerner will still take over in 2015 or not. Those against zoning need to be more forthcoming.
"We asked the G-20 for a meeting about three weeks ago; they gave us Thursday date."
Another source in G-15 said: "The two groups have chosen to meet to streamline their positions on zoning, we are hopeful that it will be fruitful.
