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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the ruling party is steering Nigeria towards a one-party state, describing the claim as unfounded propaganda.
Okechukwu spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the APC South-East Zonal Congress held at the Presidential Hotel in Enugu, where he argued that the ADC and its leadership were responsible for actions that threaten Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
He said, “the current leadership of the ADC, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, should instead be held accountable for sowing the seed of a one-party state and entrenching it today through actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.”
Tracing the roots of the alleged political imbalance, Okechukwu pointed to the 2022 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he claimed breached the zoning convention and triggered internal decay within the party.
According to him, “the alleged drift toward a one-party state can be traced to the 2022 PDP presidential primary, where the zoning convention was violently breached. Consequently, the party atrophied.”
He described zoning as a central pillar of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, emphasising that it was carefully crafted to promote unity, fairness and national cohesion.
“The zoning principle is a foundational element of our Fourth Republic, designed by both military and civilian statesmen to promote unity, equity, inclusion and national cohesion. Its adherence has historically ensured a sense of belonging across Nigeria’s diverse regions,” he stated.
Okechukwu also took a swipe at media personality Dele Momodu, accusing him of downplaying the importance of zoning and fuelling regional division.
“One is at a loss that respected eggheads in the ADC, like Dele Momodu, regrettably are not only stoking hatred by degrading the zoning convention as falsehood, but erroneously fanning the embers of disunity between the North and South,” he said.
He added, “One doesn’t begrudge Dele for rabidly supporting His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, albeit he should remember that inclusion is the bedrock of harmonious existence of our dear country, which is of paramount importance.”
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Okechukwu was reacting to Momodu’s recent remarks dismissing zoning as a constitutional requirement.
Momodu had argued: “Let us stop promoting this falsehood. There has never been a time when the North did eight years and the South automatically had to do eight years. The constitution does not stop anyone from contesting. If I am to advise ADC, go to the North, where there is crisis and dissatisfaction… that is where the opportunity lies.”
Defending his stance, Okechukwu cited historical precedents to underscore the importance of zoning in Nigeria’s political evolution.
He said, “we must recall the personal sacrifices made by prominent politicians like Abubakar Rimi, Adamu Ciroma, Umaru Shinkafi and Dr Sola Saraki, without which Dele’s darling could not have become vice president.
“we must not forget how Chief Olusegun Obasanjo denied his friend Dr Peter Odili support and insisted on adherence to zoning, that the president must come from the North.
“Dele should also recall how Atiku bolted away in the 2014 PDP presidential primary, shouting that President Jonathan had usurped the turn of the North.”
Okechukwu added that during the 2018 PDP presidential primary in Port Harcourt, “no southern aspirant contested in obedience to the zoning convention, which is also expressly stated in Section 7 of the PDP Constitution.”
He maintained that zoning remains critical to Nigeria’s stability, insisting that equity, justice and a sense of belonging are embedded in the principle.
The APC chieftain further claimed that major political parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party, were committed to zoning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, accusing the ADC of wavering on the issue.
