The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara has declared that its 2027 governorship ticket will not be restricted to any specific senatorial district, opting instead for an open contest among aspirants from all zones.
This position was made public on Sunday by the party’s spokesperson, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, during a heated online discussion where supporters and critics of the Kwara North 2027 agenda debated the issue.
Adewara, firmly stated that the opposition party would neither succumb to pressure nor be blackmailed into zoning its ticket to Kwara North.
“The gubernatorial ticket of any party, including the PDP, is not the constitutional right of any senatorial district—whether North, South, or Central,” Adewara said.
“It is the outcome of political strategies, where aspirants with strong connections and wide consultations emerge. Zoning is a gentleman’s agreement within parties, not a mandate dictated by law. I believe this is a fact well-known to all, especially legal practitioners.”
The spokesperson explained that while the PDP honoured the zoning arrangement in 2023 by fielding a candidate from Kwara North, the region failed to deliver adequate support for its candidate. He argued that the Kwara North agenda had proven to be more of an elite-driven political scheme than a genuine grassroots movement.
“It is unfair to blame the PDP for listening to Kwara North’s demands in 2023 and implementing a zoning formula, only for the region to fail in rallying sufficient support for its candidate,” Adewara said. “The outcome exposed the agitation as a tool of political elites seeking to exploit zonal sentiments for personal gain. This is a lesson learned by the PDP and other political stakeholders.”
Dismissing accusations from proponents of exclusive zoning to Kwara North, Adewara described their demands as “unfounded cries” by politicians unwilling to engage in open competition. He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to prioritizing competence, electability, and merit over regional considerations.
“We have reviewed the realities on the ground and concluded that the ‘Kwara North lokan’ narrative lacks substance. The party will focus on fielding candidates with the capacity to win elections and govern effectively, regardless of their zone,” he added.
The PDP’s decision is expected to spark strong reactions, particularly from advocates of the Kwara North agenda, who have long called for equitable power rotation among the state’s three senatorial districts. While the 2023 elections marked a historic moment with the PDP zoning its governorship ticket to Kwara North, the eventual loss to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) underscored the challenges of translating zoning policies into electoral success.
As the PDP positions itself for 2027, the rejection of zoning could reshape internal dynamics and influence the party’s strategy to regain power in Kwara.
However, the broader debate over zoning and fair representation remains a contentious issue that will continue to shape political discourse in the state.
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