The Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has abolished its governorship zoning agreement ahead of the 2027 elections. State Publicity Secretary Musa Sarkinkaji announced the decision in a statement issued in Minna, stating that zoning lacks constitutional recognition. "Zoning is a political arrangement, not a constitutional provision. All qualified aspirants from any zone are free to contest," he said. The practice, in place for over 26 years, had ensured regional balance but was never legally binding. Sarkinkaji urged party members to remain orderly as aspirants begin positioning. APC chieftain Jonathan Tsado Vatsa supported the move, claiming rotation had prioritised mediocrity over competence. "Niger State has paid a huge price for this undemocratic practice, and abolishing zoning could pave the way for merit-based leadership," Vatsa said. The shift follows comments by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa during the launch of a foreign scholarship scheme in Bosso, Minna, where he declared, "We are one broom. Our party does not stop anyone from contesting."
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa's public declaration that he would have run in 2027 if not for zoning makes the timing of this policy shift highly convenient for his ambitions. The abolition removes a structural barrier that might have blocked his path, reframing internal party dynamics. While the argument for merit-based leadership has merit, the move risks appearing less about principle and more about clearing the field for big-name politicians. For Nigerians in the state, this could mean a return to winner-takes-all politics masked as reform.
