From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A political pressure group, Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM), has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) on the zoning of its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
The group, which is pushing for former presidential aspirant and the PDP chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to contest the 2027 presidential poll, said the decision by the opposition party to zone its presidential ticket was a strategic blunder.
The PDP NEC had at its 102nd meeting, on Monday, zoned its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, to the South and retained its national chairmanship position in the North.
However, the GHSM, in a statement by its national coordinator, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said the action of the opposition party’s NEC may not only jeopardise the party’s chances in 2027, but could also expose its candidate to possible disqualification by the courts.
It argued that the PDP NEC, despite acting on a resolution that may enjoy majority support, lacks the legal authority to restrict elective offices to any region, as this violates both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) and the PDP’s own constitution.
The group pointed out that Section 42(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, “forbids any form of discrimination against citizens on grounds of ethnic group, place of origin, religion, sex or political opinion, and added that shutting out aspirants based on zoning is a violation of the constitution.
Furthermore, the group contended that Section 7(2)(c) of the PDP Constitution affirmed that the party shall “conform to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” in its dealings.
The movement reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for a level playing field within the PDP and vowed to sustain its support for Olawepo-Hashim in the 2027 presidential race.
“History has shown us that whenever the PDP abandons its democratic tradition of open contests, it pays a heavy price.”
The zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket is, therefore, not just an error but a dangerous miscalculation.
“We believe Dr. Gbenga Hashim represents the true spirit of unity, inclusivity and visionary leadership that Nigeria desperately needs. No amount of unconstitutional zoning will deter our movement. We will continue to push for the reversal of this error before the November convention,” it stated.
