PDP, NORTH AND 2011 ELECTIONS

The clamour for PDP to respect its zoning agreement has turn to a national issue that even non- party members are involved. The leadership of PDP has not done enough or even worked toward protecting the rights and interest of North and Northerners that are its card carrying members. Why can’t they tell President Goodluck Jonathan that he cannot contest on its platform if he still insists on contesting the 2011 elections?

When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.

The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.

As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.


Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.

During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.

Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?

The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.


And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?

Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.

Shehu Mustapha Chaji


shehuchaji@yahoo.com