A former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has expressed disagreement with the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South. In an interview on Arise News, Olawepo-Hashim emphasized that Nigeria does not require zoning to produce a competent president, as a capable leader can emerge from any region.

He stated that zoning is a divisive issue in the country and suggested that the focus should be on uniting factors rather than those that exacerbate divisions. Olawepo-Hashim argued that competence, rather than regional rotation, should be the determining factor in selecting the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election.

The PDP chieftain cited the example of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who secured the party’s ticket in 1999 without relying on zoning. Obasanjo emerged as the candidate through a competitive process at the national convention. Olawepo-Hashim noted that it was only during President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure that the PDP adopted a policy of giving him an exclusive ticket, which ultimately led to his loss in the election.

Olawepo-Hashim warned that restricting potential candidates from other regions could weaken the PDP’s chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 election. He suggested that the campaign for zoning within the PDP may inadvertently pave the way for the incumbent president’s re-election.

The debate over zoning highlights the complexities of Nigerian politics, where regional considerations often play a significant role in electoral decisions. As the 2027 presidential election approaches, the PDP’s stance on zoning is likely to be closely watched, with potential implications for the party’s fortunes and the country’s political landscape. The decision may also influence the party’s ability to unite and present a strong challenge to the ruling party.