An Ekiti-based socio-political group, the Ekiti Democratic Front (EDF), has cautioned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against adopting zoning as a strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such a move could deepen divisions and weaken the party’s chances.
In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the group’s Coordinator, Dr. Tunde Alabi, said the PDP must prioritize competence, popularity, and national acceptability over regional considerations when choosing its presidential candidate.
>Nigeria is at a critical point where leadership capacity, not zoning, should determine who emerges as a party’s flag bearer. If PDP insists on zoning, it risks alienating credible aspirants and repeating past mistakes,” Alabi stated.
The group stressed that zoning had become a contentious issue in the PDP, with various blocs pushing for the presidency to be allocated either to the North or South. According to EDF, this internal wrangling has historically cost the party unity and electoral advantage.
Alabi noted that while zoning was originally designed to promote inclusivity, it has now become “a tool for political bargaining rather than a mechanism for national balance.”
>The PDP should learn from recent elections. What Nigerians are looking for is not where a leader comes from, but what he or she can deliver. We urge the party to throw the contest open and allow merit to prevail,” the statement added.
The group further advised the PDP leadership to focus on rebuilding trust among members, strengthening internal democracy, and presenting a candidate with a clear plan to tackle economic hardship, insecurity, and unemployment.
The zoning debate has been one of the most divisive issues within the PDP since its loss of power in 2015, with stakeholders yet to reach a consensus on how the presidential ticket should be allocated in future elections.
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