People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has cautioned that enforcing zoning in the selection of Nigeria’s president could deepen divisions across the country and violate democratic principles.
In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Olawepo-Hashim described zoning as “a terrible law” that risks pitching one region against another, stressing that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not permit political parties to bar candidates based on geography.
“The danger in this kind of thing is that you pitch one section of the country against another, which is a very bad thing.
Nigerians are not interested in where the President comes from. Nigerians want a competent President, a President that can fix the economy, a President that can fix national security,” he said.
The former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary recalled that even in 1999, when there was widespread sentiment to appease the South-West following the annulment of the June 12 election, candidates from other regions were not shut out.
“Dr Alex Ekwueme contested from the South-East, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi contested from the North-West. The leaders, in a mature manner, spoke through their delegates,” he explained.
Olawepo-Hashim also cited the 2023 elections as evidence that regional sentiment is no longer decisive, noting that President Bola Tinubu lost in Lagos and struggled in the South but secured victory largely through votes from the North.
He linked his current stance to his earlier opposition to tenure extension within the PDP in 2000, when the National Executive Committee attempted to prolong the mandate of officers from two to four years. Despite being a potential beneficiary, he fought the move until the National Convention overturned it.
“That was 25 years ago. I did that because it was wrong, and I will always stand for what is right. So this is not about me or any ambition,” he emphasised.
Addressing recent comments by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who has supported zoning, Olawepo-Hashim said he respects him but insisted the party must not repeat past errors.
“This could be reversed by the subsequent National Executive Committee or the National Convention itself. The beauty of the PDP is that it’s a democratic party. People are free to debate and express themselves,” he said.
