Gbenga Olawepo Hashim and the Challenges of Zoning in the PDP

By; ABDULLAH DAN’AZUMI MOHAMMED GOLKOS

The Constitution of any nation is the embodiment of the “Social Contract” between the state and its citizens. It is the supreme document that spells out the obligations of the state to the people and vice versa. Every political, economic, or social action must derive its legitimacy from it. The Constitution guarantees the rights of the individual, and any action contrary to its provisions amounts to the suppression of those fundamental rights.

Unfortunately, political development in Nigeria has taken a dimension where the informal practice of “zoning” by political parties is being used to stifle not only the legitimate ambitions of individuals but also the political aspirations of entire regions.

It is against this backdrop that the legitimate concerns raised by business mogul and presidential aspirant, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, must be taken seriously. Following the recent decision of the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the presidency to the South, the party effectively shut the door against aspirants from the North. This, without doubt, violates the constitutional rights of qualified Nigerians from that region to seek the highest office in the land. No electoral arrangement or party constitution can override the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, except by voluntary concession.

While political parties are free to strategise and adopt internal mechanisms to enhance their chances at elections, such provisions must remain subject to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this regard, Olawepo Hashim’s position is timely and represents the opinion of many Nigerians across party lines.

It must be remembered that the zoning arrangement, which began in 1999, was never meant to be a permanent feature of our democracy. It was simply a transitional measure to address the political imbalance that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. To now elevate zoning into a permanent fixture is to undermine democracy itself, as it denies the nation the opportunity to choose the best candidates for leadership at a time when Nigeria urgently needs its brightest minds to address pressing challenges.

The observations made by Olawepo Hashim during a recent televised interview have once again brought this debate to the front burner. Can Nigeria afford to remain captive to a political arrangement that is neither constitutional nor progressive? The answer is clearly no.

It is time for political parties to review their zoning policies and allow the best candidates to emerge—either through open contests or voluntary concessions—rather than outright exclusion of entire regions.

Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has spoken the minds of many Nigerians, including those who may lack the courage to do so publicly. His call is a reminder that our democracy must rest on the solid foundation of constitutionalism, fairness, and competence—not expediency.

It is indeed time for a review.

Abdullah Dan’azumi Mohammed Golkos, is the Fmr. National Secretary, DPP