Bago reveals plans to gazette political zoning policy

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

The Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has revealed plans by his administration to gazette political zoning system for elective positions for sustainable peace and unity in the state.
The governor disclosed this during a strategic meeting involving critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress and aspirants under the party, held in Government House, Minna.
Bago explained that the proposed policy is aimed at ensuring fair political representation and balanced power sharing among the 25 local government areas of the state.
According to him, institutionalising the zoning arrangement would foster inclusiveness and reduce political tension across the state.
He stated that the government would initiate the necessary legislative and consultative processes, including a public hearing, to ensure that the zoning framework is formally gazetted before the end of 2027.
The governor stressed that no single local government area should dominate political offices beyond eight years, insisting that power rotation remains essential for justice, unity, and sustainable democracy in Niger State.
“We are going to gazette zoning in Niger State. If that’s the only thing we are going to do before 2027, so that power will revolve from local government to local government, from constituency to constituency, so that there will be everlasting peace in Niger State,” the governor declared.
He acknowledged that the Nigerian Constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to contest elective positions irrespective of senatorial district or location.
However, he noted that Niger State has historically operated an informal zoning understanding that has helped maintain political balance and harmony over the years.
The meeting also provided an avenue for party stakeholders and aspirants to deliberate on strategies for sustaining unity within the APC ahead of future political contests.