2023: How PDP may use permutation of presidential candidate’s zone to defeat APC 

Barely two years to this time, another general election would be conducted in Nigeria. While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would want to remain in power, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also working hard to get back to the seat of power.

There has been discussion on zoning permutation and how it may shape the election.

Already there is a likelihood that the APC may consider a Southerner as its candidate for the presidency seat while the PDP may settle for a northerner.

As of the time of this report, permutations are still on going and nobody has really spoken on white paper on how the selection process of either of the parties would be.

It is politics and the language in Nigeria is that morality, religion, equity, fairness and justice are secondary while the interest of the political players are considered primary.

A thorough look at the situation of things in the opposition PDP is that the chances of the presidential candidate coming from the north is much more higher than southerner consideration.

The southerners have always take the lead in PDP since 1999. The party ruled for 16 years and of the 16 years, the South – between Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan – spent 13 years and 25 days, cumulatively.

The only northerner who ruled during this period was the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua and due to his illness, he only spebt two years and 341 days in office.

If equity is to be considered, PDP would do justice by ensuring that its presidential  candidate comes from the northern zone in 2023.

APC understands that the current president is from the north and after its eight years tenure, the party would consider South. If the ruling considered this, then it would be counter productive for the PDP not to be wise in ensuring balance in its party. In fact, a failure to do this would make the poll walk over for the APC.

Ideologically, like some northern PDP members worked with the APC in 2015 to elect President Buhari, many northern APC members would also work with the PDP to elect whoever it brings forward.

Those clamoring for PDP to zone the presidency to the south can blackmail the party but to have a better chance in 2023, only a northern candidate can help defeat the incumbent.