Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has argued that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the south effectively strengthens President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, August 25, Olawepo-Hashim said the move by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) plays directly into the hands of the ruling party.
“To zone the presidency to the south is a default campaign for the return of President Asiwaju.
“Because those who are mounting the campaign for zoning to the south are the same people who are saying ‘we are in PDP but we are committed to Tinubu’s re-election.’ It’s a default campaign for the PDP not to have a viable candidate,” he said.
The PDP had announced after its NEC meeting in Abuja that the party’s presidential ticket would go to the south, while the national chairmanship would remain in the north, after which the arrangement was ratified ahead of the party’s elective convention in Ibadan this November.
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Olawepo-Hashim described the decision as “a big error”, warning that it could sideline northern members of the party and create serious constitutional challenges.
“What the decision means is that if you are a northerner, you should find another party,” he said. “Past leaders would never shut the door against any region, because they knew the implication of it for the unity of the country.”
He further noted that the arrangement could be challenged in court, as the constitution does not allow political parties to bar members from contesting elective offices based on region.
Despite the party’s defence that the zoning agreement preserves balance between north and south, Olawepo-Hashim insisted it weakens the PDP’s competitiveness.
“I believe that NEC has made a big error,” he said. “It was democratic, yes, but it was a major miscalculation,” he added.