From Simeon Nwakaudu, Makurdi

Competence, he said, is the important issue.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital, after attending a N100 million fund-raising ceremony for the division of Makurdi Catholic Diocese, Nyame said the fuss about the region to produce the next president is unnecessary now.

"Anybody aspiring for the presidency of this nation, whether he comes from the North or South, as long as he is popularly credible and can deliver the goods, it doesn't matter which region he comes from", Nyame declared.

He added: "For heaven's sake, let us practise democracy in all its ramifications, instead of being myopic and insisting that the next president must come from this or that region".

Nyame maintained that Nigerians should be happy that democracy has come to stay after years of military misrule.

He particularly cited what he called "freedom enjoyed in all areas of life" as one of the dividends of democracy.

According to him, "during the military rule, you cannot insult a government official and get away with it. But now, you can criticise at will. With democracy, there is a clear degree of freedom for our people".

He said that in Taraba State, people have benefited from infrastructural development and other social benefits associated with democracy.