Veteran Nigerian journalist and political commentator, Dele Momodu, has declared that the zoning of the presidential ticket is not constitutional and should not be used as a barrier to contesting for the presidency.
Momodu’s comments come amid the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South during its recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. The PDP’s zoning policy has reignited the debate over whether certain regions or zones should be given automatic rights to contest the presidency in Nigeria.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Momodu challenged the idea of zoning and reminded Nigerians of the political history of the PDP after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He pointed out that when Yar’Adua died in office in 2010, the PDP did not insist that power must remain in the North. Instead, Goodluck Jonathan, then the Vice President from the South-South region, took over the presidency and later contested for a full term in 2011.
“There was never a zoning. Yar’Adua died but PDP never insisted on power remaining in the North,” Momodu wrote.
He added that Jonathan could have stayed in power for up to nine years if he had won the 2015 elections against then opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari.
Momodu’s reflection reminds Nigerians that power rotation has not always been strictly followed in Nigerian politics, and political dynamics can change depending on circumstances.
The journalist emphasized that zoning is not part of Nigeria’s constitution. He believes that the presidency should be open to any competent and qualified Nigerian regardless of their state or zone of origin.
“Never. Zoning is not in our Constitution and I believe every competent and qualified Nigerian should have a chance to run for the highest office,” he said.
Momodu also shared a brief summary of Nigerian presidential rule since 1999, highlighting how power has shifted between the North and South:
-Olusegun Obasanjo (South-West) served 8 years (1999-2007)
-Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (North) served about 5 years (2007-2010)
-Goodluck Jonathan (South-South) served 5 years (2010-2015)
-Bola Tinubu (South-West) elected in 2023, currently serving his first term
“OBJ (8) + GEJ (5) + Tinubu (4) from 1999 to 2027 = 17 years out of 28, meaning 11 years to the North,” he said.
Momodu added that if President Tinubu wins the 2027 election fairly, Nigerians should accept the result peacefully. If the opposition wins, then Tinubu should also accept the outcome and step down quietly.
Zoning is an informal power-sharing agreement used by many Nigerian political parties to rotate key political offices, especially the presidency, between different regions or ethnic groups to ensure balance and prevent domination by any one zone.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP have both applied zoning in various forms during past elections. However, this practice remains controversial. Critics argue that zoning limits democracy by restricting who can run for office, while supporters say it promotes national unity and prevents marginalization of minority groups.
At its NEC meeting in Abuja, the PDP officially decided to zone its presidential ticket to the South for the 2027 election. This move was welcomed by some members who believe it promotes fairness and gives the South a chance to lead after several years of Northern presidency.
However, the decision has also drawn criticism from some quarters, including Dele Momodu, who sees it as unconstitutional and unnecessary.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the debate on zoning and its place in Nigeria’s democracy is likely to continue. Dele Momodu’s views reflect a growing call for open competition where the best candidate, regardless of zone, gets a chance to lead Nigeria.
