“Yar’Adua’s death created zoning crisis” — Kwankwaso

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says the death of former President Umar Musa Yar’adua created confusion over Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement between the North and South.

Mr Kwankwaso stated this during an interview on Arise TV on Monday while defending the NDC’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

“We believe the best way to go now is to take it to the south so that we can eliminate the confusion… that emanated from the death of our brother, our friend, Umar Musa Yar’adua,” he said.

Mr Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi formally joined the NDC on 3 May after defecting from the African Democratic Congress amid internal disputes and litigation within the opposition party.

At its national convention in Abuja, the NDC officially ratified the decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

Zoning debate and political balance

Mr Yar’adua, who was elected president in 2007, died in office in May 2010 after a prolonged illness, completing less than one term in office.

His deputy, former President Goodluck Jonathan from the South, completed the tenure and later won a fresh mandate in the 2011 presidential election.

Mr Kwankwaso acknowledged that arguments surrounding zoning often depend on where political actors begin their calculations.

“One can argue that from 1999 to date, the south has done more years than the north. But it depends on how it suits you,” he said.

The zoning principle remains one of the most sensitive issues in Nigerian politics, particularly ahead of presidential elections, with major parties often balancing tickets between the North and South to maintain political stability.

Buhari era as reference point

Mr Kwankwaso said the NDC adopted the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as the most appropriate reference point for zoning discussions.

“What worked now is counting from Buhari… Buhari had eight years and the south is now doing its first term,” he stated.

He added that northern politicians joining the NDC accepted the southern zoning arrangement without resistance in the interest of unity.

“Almost all of us joining from the north, we accepted. There is no point in fighting,” he said.

Despite the regional debate, Mr Kwankwaso argued that Nigeria’s biggest challenge is leadership quality rather than geographical rotation of power.

“What is key now is not presidency from the north or from the south. What is key is to have quality leadership… committed to give the country the leadership it deserves,” he said.