Veteran Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Sule Lamido has raised critical questions about Nigeria’s political zoning arrangement during a comprehensive interview on Arise TV, challenging conventional wisdom about regional power rotation between the country’s North and South.
The former Jigawa State governor provided historical context for the zoning system, tracing its origins to specific political circumstances. “Arising from today’s peculiarities, the zoning was something introduced by PDP in 1998 for a purpose—to cure June 12. Thereafter, we should be able to look at a Nigerian based on his own capacity, efficiency, and competence, and then vote for the right person,” Lamido explained during the broadcast.
However, Lamido expressed concerns that the zoning arrangement has evolved beyond its original intention. “But then, apparently, it has become our own albatross, and therefore it has become a phenomenon whereby, no matter how you see it, the issue of North and South has become a reality in terms of political calculation,” he stated.
The PDP chieftain challenged the logic behind current zoning arguments, particularly those relating to former President Buhari’s eight-year tenure. “So naturally, if they’re saying the South—the North did eight years under Buhari, but then Buhari was APC. I don’t know why they’re accusing APC people. The only thing is that the North had Buhari, but it was APC, not PDP,” Lamido pointed out.
He further questioned the assumption that one party’s regional representation should determine another party’s choices. “All right, so why do you think—because the president (Buhari) who was APC was there for eight years—therefore the next president from PDP must come from the South or North?” Lamido asked rhetorically.
The interview highlights ongoing debates within Nigeria’s political establishment about the effectiveness and fairness of the zoning system, with Lamido’s comments reflecting broader discussions about merit versus regional considerations in candidate selection.
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