According to a report by The Sun on Sunday, July 27, 2025, Hon. Stephen Abraham Ajiya, a notable chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed strong support for the zoning arrangement within the party.
Speaking shortly after the recently concluded PDP North Central Zonal election in Jos, Plateau State, Ajiya emphasized that the zoning system remains the best political structure to promote fairness and balance among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
He described the arrangement as a tested formula that ensures no region feels excluded in the leadership process.
Ajiya, who was actively involved in the Jos convention, maintained that the zoning method continues to offer hope for national unity.
According to him, every region deserves a fair chance at producing national leaders, and the rotation principle remains one of the only ways to avoid marginalization.
He stated that without zoning, certain regions may continue to dominate the political space, which could lead to tension and unrest.
The PDP chieftain said the zoning arrangement has helped stabilize internal democracy within the party for years.
He explained that it has been used successfully to share key positions among different geopolitical zones, thereby building confidence and loyalty among members.
He further noted that it was one of the reasons the PDP remains a strong party across the country despite several challenges.
When asked about the recent decision by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to pursue his presidential ambition again in 2027, which many believe disrupts the zoning arrangement, Ajiya offered a broader political view.
He said the issue is no longer just about the PDP alone but has become a national concern.
He warned that if the current administration is seen as failing or if power appears to be rotating within one zone only, it could lead to renewed agitation.
In his words, he does not see a scenario where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would easily lose an election and quietly return to Lagos.
Ajiya believes such a situation could create political unrest, especially in the South.
He stressed that the southern region has historically experienced interruptions whenever it holds power, and this trend is harmful to the nation’s unity.
Ajiya advised political leaders to reflect on this imbalance to avoid repeated political instability.
He said: Well, I don’t see this current President going back to Lagos in the name of losing the 2027 election. I don’t see it in this current arrangement that he has lost the election.
There will be restlessness from the South, and the issue of agitation would come up again, and it is an aberration that anytime the South has the opportunity for the Presidency, it becomes short-lived. It is not healthy because it affects the region politically.
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