Breaking: Kwara 2027 Guber: PDP Dumps Zoning, throws ticket open to all aspirants. 

By Omowumi Omotosho

In a notable departure from past practices, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State will not employ zoning in selecting its candidate for the upcoming 2027 gubernatorial election. This decision marks a significant shift in the party’s approach to candidate selection, aiming to deepen democratic principles and foster broader participation in the electoral process.

Several high-ranking members of the opposition party who spoke to the National Pilot said the move away from zoning is intended to bolster democracy by opening the field to a wider pool of qualified candidates.

By eliminating the constraints of geographical considerations, it was gathered, the party seeks to prioritize merit and competence in selecting the individual best suited to lead the state.

Recall that in the previous gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP adopted contrasting strategies. While the APC presented a candidate from Kwara Central in the person of the incumbent Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, the PDP presented Shuaib Yaman from Kwara North.

The differing approaches underscored the importance of regional dynamics in past elections but also raised questions about inclusivity and fairness in candidate selection.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara popularly known as Sholyments declined to comment on the party’s adopted strategy towards the 2027 gubernatorial election because of the party’s subsisting suspension of political activities in honour of the late Senator Rafiu Ibrahim.

National Pilot gathered further that PDP would have formally announced the no zoning policy, but for the suspension of its activities to honour the departed Senator.

However, an elder of the party who shed more light on the adoption of no zoning, said the party sees Kwara as one constituency and that the people deserve the best candidate who can turn things around and raise the standard of governance which has suffered horribly in the hands of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

According to the elder who spoke to National Pilot on condition of anonymity, “Irrespective of where you come from, to PDP Kwara, kwara state is one constituency, and our ticket will be opened to any zone and anybody with capacity, competence and acceptability, irrespective of where they come from, whether they are from the North, South or Central. We see Kwara state as one constituency and the people deserve those who are competent irrespective of where they come from to lead them in 2027.”

With the PDP’s decision, attention will now shift to potential aspirants who will vie for the party’s nomination in the 2027 gubernatorial race.

The decision to forego zoning is expected to spark intense competition among aspirants from various parts of Kwara State, as they seek to demonstrate their qualifications and appeal to party members and voters alike.

As preparations for the 2027 elections gain momentum, all eyes will be on Kwara State to observe how this bold departure from traditional practices will impact the political landscape and ultimately shape the future leadership of the state.