Bago moves to institutionalise political zoning in Niger

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has revealed plans by his administration to gazette a political zoning system for elective positions as part of efforts to promote sustainable peace, unity, and equitable power sharing in the state.

The governor disclosed this during a strategic meeting involving key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and party aspirants, held at the Hauwa Wali Multipurpose Hall, Government House, Minna.

Bago explained that the proposed policy was aimed at ensuring fair political representation and balanced power rotation among the 25 local government areas of the State.

According to him, institutionalising the zoning arrangement would promote inclusiveness and reduce political tension across Niger State.

He stated that the government would commence the necessary legislative and consultative processes, including public hearings, 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 the 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, then 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 regardless of senatorial district or location, adding that Niger State has historically operated an informal zoning arrangement 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.