The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria is currently grappling with a significant decision-making challenge regarding the zoning of its governorship ticket in Edo State, according to reports from the Nigerian Tribune.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF) are at a crossroads, torn between adopting zoning or discarding it for the upcoming governorship primaries scheduled for next month.
At the heart of the matter is a push by some PDP leaders in the state advocating for the governorship slot to be zoned to the Central Senatorial District. Their argument is rooted in the historical fact that the Central Senatorial District hasn’t had the opportunity to produce a governor since the inception of the state.
This push for zoning is seen by its proponents as a move towards ensuring justice, equity, and fair play. However, the sentiment faced a recent setback due to opposing views from other PDP leaders who argue that focusing on Edo Central for the governorship ticket could be politically detrimental.
Opponents of zoning to Edo Central point to demographic distributions, indicating that Edo South, with approximately 52% of the state’s voter base, holds a strategic advantage compared to Edo Central’s 21% and Edo North’s 29%.
The decision the party makes on the zoning issue is expected to significantly influence its standing in the upcoming elections and its relationship with the diverse constituents of the state.
As the primary draws near, all eyes are on the PDP’s leadership to see which path they will choose in this challenging scenario. The NWC meeting, which was initially scheduled for last Wednesday, did not hold due to a lack of quorum and sharp divisions over the Edo governorship issue.
