The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress against zoning its 2027 governorship ticket to Kwara North, warning that such a move could pose electoral risks to the party.
Suleiman gave the warning amid ongoing discussions within the ruling party over power rotation in the state, following calls for inclusivity and political balance.
In remarks shared on his social media platforms, the NILDS boss acknowledged the relevance of zoning in managing diversity but stressed that electoral realities must guide such decisions.
“I am not against zoning or power rotation, and I understand the clamour by those who say it is their turn. But the critical question is how zoning translates into electoral victory,” he said.
He explained that political parties must consider key variables such as voter population, strength of party structures, and historical voting patterns before arriving at zoning decisions.
According to him, zoning to a region where the party lacks competitive advantage could undermine its chances at the polls.
“No political party takes the risk of zoning to where it does not believe it has a competitive advantage,” he added.
Suleiman also referenced the outcome of the 2023 general elections, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party made strategic miscalculations that did not translate into electoral success in the state.
He suggested that the opposition party may be adjusting its strategy ahead of 2027 to improve its chances.
The NILDS DG warned against allowing sentiment to drive zoning decisions, insisting that such an approach could expose the APC to avoidable risks.
He urged key stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to carefully assess the political landscape before taking a final decision.
“It will be risky to take a position that does not place the party in a comfortable position to win,” he said.
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