It is clear to majority of us that one of the factors that lead to the fall of mighty PDP is the inept of their zoning formula
I will say the leadership of the people’s Democratic Party over the years have done a great work in other to be sagacious with the distribution of power among the six geopolitical zone. Which is perhaps the main reason they are able to held on to power for sixteen years.
Fellow Nigerians as we all are prepared for the inauguration of the new president elect and to be ruled by a new political party with different agenda. Many speculation and expectation on the distribution of the political office in the country most especially the senate president, the speaker and the secretary to the federal government (SGF).
The first thing that run through my minds whenever I hear zoning formula is must the all progressive congress (APC) divide political office along the political zone or go for credible candidate in other to avoid some mistakes which the People Democratic Party made? Though in governing our nation every region, tribe and religion group should actively participate in it.
After the south eastern part of the nation as dashed away there opportunity to clinch the senate presidency the north central have now been favorite for the position and have been a straight battle between the gladiators in the region.
Let me use this opportunity refresh your memory on how PDP rise with zoning formula and eventually fall with the mismanagement of it.
In 1999 when the president is from south west, the vice president from north east, senate president from south east and the northwest produced the speaker.
The zoning formula was maintained for eight years and the owe thing turn around in 2007 when the presidency was zoned to northwest and the vice president from south-south while north central get the presidency.
The situation of PDP become tricky when the unfortunate death of late president Umar Musa Yar’Adua in which jeopardize the stability of the party and force the f the presidency to the south- south for another two term.
After the 2011 election and the resumption of the 7th assembly as expected PDP put forward a southwest candidate for the speaker, which eventually the opposition and the and other loyalist of Hon. Aminu Tambuwal ganged up and shatter the planned formula.
The boulevard which the ruling party cede to the opposition to totally distort there precious zoning formula does not only end in the national assembly leadership but also in the leadership of the party. During the election of Nigeria governors forum (NGF) which PDP has zoned to north central in favor of governor Jonah Jang was also plundered.
In an attempt to ensure the validity of the zoning formula among the members, the party was divided and lead to factional part who afterward decamped to leading opposition.
With the speculation about Sen. Bukola saraki and Sen. Gorge Akume both from north central have being heuristic and running ballistic to get the favour of the party gladiators.
If the opportunity is thrown to every qualified and credible member there will be less pressure on the leaders of the party and chances for eligible candidate will be widely open
I wont end this without made mention of what I think is the major disadvantage of the zoning formula is waiting for so long before the prestigious position get to u. this is exactly what happen to the southeastern of Nigeria who are waited for PDP zoning formula and there hope was totally dashed away when it was re-zoned to north west for another eight years after the planned south –south term.
Thanks and God bless.