The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, and the National Publicity Secretary of the Obi–Kwankwaso Movement, Justin Ijeh, have stressed the need to respect Nigeria’s informal zoning arrangement in the interest of fairness and national balance.
Speaking to Punch, Tanko argued that a southern presidential ticket is rooted in equity and continuity, noting that the current presidency is already zoned to the South.
He added that Obi had aligned with this position by indicating a willingness to serve only a single four-year term.
He said, “Yes, we are concerned about the zoning. That was why we’ve been asking the ADC to zone the presidency to the southern part of this country, considering the simple fact that the Presidency has been zoned to the south.
“As you speak right now, what we have is a southern presidency. So, once you have a southern president, it simply means that even if there is going to be a replacement for the existing president, it should come from the South for them to complete their tenure.
“I think it is only fair to do that. And that was why Mr Peter Obi has also agreed that he’s going to do only four years.”
Continuing, Tanko expressed confidence that Obi would emerge as the consensus candidate if the opposition settles for a unified ticket, citing widespread public support, particularly among young Nigerians.
“That is because he’s the most popular candidate in the country at the moment. I’m being humble about it, and I thank God for it. He’s the most popular, especially among the youth. Anywhere he goes, he is adored.
“Let me give you an instance. We were on our way to Ibadan the other day, and we passed through the international and local airports. You need to see the kind of love and euphoria people showered on him. It was amazing.
“The whole hall was agog with Nigerians shouting ‘Obi, Obi, Obi.’ It was so emotional for him and for some of us who are following him. So that is to tell you the kind of love and support Nigerians are ready to give this man,” he noted.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Ijeh argued that while zoning is not constitutionally mandated, it remains a practical mechanism for ensuring inclusion in Nigeria’s diverse political landscape.
The spokesman for the Obi–Kwankwaso Movement emphasised that allowing the single presidential candidate to emerge from the South is the right thing to do.
He said, “While it is not embedded in the Nigerian constitution, and while competence and character are the gold standard for leadership ideally, zoning is a pragmatic approach to balanced representation and equity in a multipolar society like Nigeria.
“It has been practised as a convention since the return of democratic rule. Certain politicians, however, may choose to play to the gallery about it when their personal interests and ambitions are not favoured by it.
“In the current calculus for Nigeria, given our very recent political trajectory, it only makes sense for the zoning principle to be applied and for the presidency to remain in the South, in keeping with that convention.
“Anything else sets the country up for divisive complications in the near-term future, and nobody needs that.”
