…Backs Hashim’s stand on zoning
…Warns INEC on ‘No BVAS excuses’
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has intensified its push ahead of the 2027 elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being in “panic mode” and shopping for endorsements to shore up President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that the ruling party’s desperation is a sign of weakness.
“If indeed the APC and President Tinubu are doing well, their work should speak for them. Instead, Nigerians can’t feed, can’t pay school fees, and are weighed down by new taxes like the proposed five percent levy on petroleum products. That’s not governance, that’s panic”, he said.
Ologunagba also accused the APC of engaging in early campaigns, in violation of the 2022 Electoral Act, while vowing that the opposition would resist any attempt to undermine the credibility of the polls.
“We won’t take stories about BVAS glitches. If POS works in remote villages, BVAS must work too. Nigerians will not accept excuses”, he warned, putting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on notice.
In a separate but related development, the PDP clarified its position on zoning, declaring that no internal arrangement would override the constitutional right of any Nigerian to contest the presidency. National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, stressed that while zoning remains a principle of equity, it cannot be weaponized to exclude aspirants from any region.
The pronouncement effectively vindicates the long-held position of technocrat-politician Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, who has consistently argued that zoning must not trump the Constitution. His supporters hailed the PDP’s stance as “a victory for democracy and inclusivity,” fueling renewed speculation about his 2027 presidential ambition.
Political watchers say the PDP’s dual strategy—repositioning through reconciliation while broadening the field for aspirants—signals a more assertive challenge to APC dominance.
As the opposition rallies around unity and inclusivity, pressure is mounting on INEC to deliver a glitch-free election that could redefine Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.
