Politics

43 Days To INEC’s Deadline: APC, PDP In Hide-And-Seek Over Zoning

Published

4 years ago

April 22, 2022

A hide-and-seek is ongoing between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the zoning of their presidential tickets, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Daily Trust analysis of the recent events of the political parties and the body language of their leaders revealed that the two leading parties are deliberately delaying the zoning of the presidential tickets as part of strategies to outsmart each other.

Issues around the zoning of the presidential tickets have created tension and divisions in the two leading political parties, socio-cultural, religious and pressure groups. It is a battle between the North and South in both parties.

It was observed that while most of the APC aspirants are from the Southern part, the majority of the popular aspirants in the PDP are from the North. Some sources said most of the contenders from the South would not mind playing the second fiddle.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had given the

parties up till June 3, this year, to conduct their primaries and produce their flag bearers.

PDP’s card

Ten days after the zoning committee of the PDP submitted its report to the National Working Committee (NWC), the party is yet to convene its National Executive Committee (NEC) where the recommendation of the party would be ratified.

This paper had exclusively reported on April 1 that the party committee, chaired by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom would recommend the jettisoning of the zoning. The committee, according to its members had recommended that the race be opened to all aspirants.

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Analysts said the extension of the sale of forms by the PDP to interested aspirants was part of the ploy to keep the APC guessing. Twice, the party has extended the sale of forms the latest of which was yesterday.

Debo Ologunagba, spokesman for the party in a statement said after a thorough consideration of various issues and concerns in the party, the sale has been extended to today, Friday, April 22, 2022. According to him, the last day for the submission of completed forms has been extended to Monday, April 25, 2022.

Before the sale was extended on Wednesday, 17 aspirants had picked the presidential forms of the leading opposition party.

PDP aspirants

The PDP presidential aspirants are; Atiku Abubakar (Adamawa), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).

Others are; Peter Obi (Anambra), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Nwachukwu Anakwenze (Anambra), Dele Momodu (Edo), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen (Borno), Sam Ohuabunwa (Imo), Cosmos Ndukwe (Abia), Charles Ugwu (Enugu), Chikwendu Kalu (Abia) and Oliver Tareila Diana (Bayelsa)

Spokesperson for the PDP, Debo Ologunagba could not be reached for his response on why the party did not make public its zoning formula, but a chieftain of the party who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, told Daily Trust that “People should not be in haste; this is our party and we know what we are doing.

“We are even ahead of other parties in our preparation for the election. No other party has talked about zoning or done what we have been able to achieve in our preparation,” he said.

APC’s game plan

In the APC, the expectation that the issues surrounding the zoning would be resolved at its NEC meeting held on Wednesday was dashed as no position was taken or made public on the matter at the end of the meeting.

While it is generally believed that since President Muhammadu Buhari hails from the North, the party ticket should be conceded to the southern part of the country, there are tendencies in the party pushing that the North should retain the ticket.

The ceding of the powers of NEC to the NWC, sources in the party said was part of the arrangement to see how the card would play out.

At the end of the NEC’s meeting on Wednesday, its powers were ceded to the NWC under the leadership of Senator Abdullahi Adamu for three months.

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A member of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the second-highest decision-making organ of the party told Daily Trust in a telephone chat yesterday that the ruling party was waiting for the PDP to decide first.

The NEC member who craved anonymity said, “We are waiting to see the direction the PDP will go. If they field their presidential candidate from the North, we will equally field ours from the North.

“More importantly, we will not leave anything to chance. We are working hard to retain power. President Buhari must hand over to another APC government. That is our resolve.

“If you are a good observant, you would realise that the PDP is ahead of us in the scheme of things, talking about convention, congresses and others. So we are watching each of their steps keenly.”

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, neither answered his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his line.

APC’s aspirants

For now, most of the APC presidential aspirants are from the South. These include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (Ogun), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Lagos), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (Kwara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ihechukwu Dallas Chima (Abia) and Usman Iwu (Imo).

The only two aspirants from the North are; Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Adamu Garba II (Adamawa).

Those who are yet to declare but their names are being mentioned are Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).

Game normal in politics – Bode George

Former Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George said that despite the politicking, the South must produce the next president, saying zoning cannot be jettisoned.

He noted that both APC and PDP were trying to play each other by not being categorical about zoning.

George in an interview with our correspondent said, “They (APC) are keeping quiet and trying to see us make foolery of ourselves because it would become a national campaign issue.

“Since the chairmanship has now been zoned to the North, automatically they are going to choose a president from the South but they are keeping quiet to allow us to pretend and think that they don’t know what they are doing.

“I am not bothered about this game. We have a norm. We have a culture and that is the political spinal cord of our party. That was what we did that endeared Nigerians to us, turn-by-turn Nigeria Limited,” he said.

Speaking with our correspondent, former member of the House of Representatives and Executive Secretary, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER), Dr Wunmi Bewaji said zoning has come to stay in Nigeria. Also, the President of the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA), Prof. Hassan Saliu, told Daily Trust that Nigerians should give the parties time.

“I think at the appropriate time, the parties will come out to address Nigerians on their final decision. The fact that the issue didn’t come at the last APC meeting and the PDP NEC is yet to ratify it does not suggest they have forgotten about it.

“Political process is not a straitjacket thing and they have to consider several factors at their disposal, talk to all the people involved and reach an agreement. Consensus building in politics is not an easy thing, it takes time,” he said.

DAILY TRUST

Related Topics:APC deadline Featured INEC PDP zoning

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Politics

Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election

Published

12 hours ago

February 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Governor Ademola Adeleke and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election

Lawmakers of the Osun State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, while also declaring their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid in 2026.

The endorsement was announced at a joint meeting of the PDP lawmakers in Osogbo, where they said the decision was driven by what they described as the need for political stability, continuity in governance, and sustained development at both the state and federal levels.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, said the endorsement of President Tinubu was based on his administration’s policies and interventions, which, according to them, have had a positive impact on Osun State and the South-West region.

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Egbedun noted that backing President Tinubu for a second term would strengthen federal-state collaboration, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, security, and economic reforms, while also ensuring continued federal presence in Osun.

The lawmakers also unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Governor Adeleke, citing what they described as his people-oriented leadership style, commitment to workers’ welfare, and ongoing projects across key sectors, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and local government development.

According to the PDP legislators, Governor Adeleke’s administration has prioritised inclusive governance, fiscal discipline, and the restoration of public confidence in government, adding that these achievements make him deserving of a second term in office.

They dismissed suggestions that endorsing President Tinubu, who belongs to a different political party, contradicts their loyalty to the PDP, arguing that the move reflects political pragmatism and the overriding interest of Osun State.

The lawmakers stressed that their decision does not weaken the PDP in Osun but rather positions the state to benefit from harmonious political alignment between the state and the federal government.

Reaffirming their commitment to the PDP, the legislators said they would continue to work for the party’s success in future elections while supporting leadership choices they believe would advance peace, stability, and development in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election

Politics

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Published

2 days ago

February 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has opened up about life after leaving office, his ongoing projects, and the future of Kano State politics in an exclusive interview.

Ganduje described life after office as less stressful but still busy, noting that he remains actively involved in party politics both in Kano and Abuja. He explained that while the pressures of leadership are gone, politics and governance never truly end. “You can’t just stop, since politics and governance never really end,” he said.

The former governor revealed that he is spending much of his time writing books to keep his mind sharp and contribute to knowledge-based politics. Among his current projects are “Abuja: Evolutionary Development of a City in Nigeria’s Capital Territory,” “Progressive Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria,” and “Progressive Party Ideology and Philosophical Direction.” Ganduje stressed the importance of education, research, and ideology in sustaining democracy and shaping effective governance.

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Reflecting on his early life, Ganduje highlighted how knowledge, experience, and patience shaped his political journey. From attending primary school in a remote village to earning a PhD from the University of Ibadan, he emphasized that education and persistence were crucial in achieving his goals. His career spanned roles as local government secretary, commissioner, deputy governor, governor, and APC national chairman, providing him with extensive governance experience from the grassroots to the national level.

On Kano politics, Ganduje expressed pride that his predictions of a progressive return to APC in the state have been realized. He highlighted APC’s success in delivering the highest number of delegates and votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during primaries and defeating the PDP in the general election by over 500,000 votes.

Addressing the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ganduje dismissed claims that the movement could challenge APC dominance in Kano. “The Kwankwasiyya Movement will not have any impact. Even though you see large crowds, the APC can mobilize bigger numbers if we choose,” he said, stressing that public sentiment favors APC due to concerns over the use of state resources for national ambitions by opposition leaders.

Ganduje also left the door open for political reconciliation with Kwankwaso, provided they share a common vision for the state and country. “I am ready. Politics is about interests. There are no permanent enemies or friends… What matters is what we want to achieve,” he said.

On the national stage, Ganduje addressed fears that northern Nigeria may not support President Tinubu in 2027, dismissing the notion as wrong. He emphasized that most Northerners accept the rotation of the presidency and are supportive of Tinubu completing his term. “Politics will always have noise, but the reality on the ground is different,” he added.

Ganduje’s reflections highlight the intersection of political strategy, education, and leadership experience in shaping both personal legacy and the future trajectory of Kano State and Nigerian politics.

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Politics

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by personal conviction, even as he continues to critique the ruling party. Bello currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he serves his constituents independently of his father’s political stance.

El-Rufai made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday evening, shortly after reportedly resisting an attempted detainment by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Egypt. The former governor, now a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), emphasised that Bello is mature enough to chart his own political path.

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“My son Bello was elected under the platform of the APC and his electorate seem to be happy with the work he is doing, so since he is an adult of over 30 years, he can make his own choices. Politics is about personal preference,” El-Rufai said, explaining that his son’s continued stay in APC does not contradict his own opposition to the party.

He added that if Bello chooses to remain within the APC without engaging in any of the party’s perceived wrongdoing, guided by the values and home training he received, “then Alhamdulillah.”

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, born in 1988, has represented Kaduna North since 2023 and currently chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations. His work in the National Assembly has earned commendations from constituents, reinforcing his independent political credibility within the APC framework.

El-Rufai’s clarification comes amid ongoing political realignments in Nigeria, where personal choices sometimes diverge from family or party affiliations. The statement highlights the balance between individual political conviction and broader party loyalty, particularly in high-profile political families.