By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced plans to institutionalise a zoning arrangement ...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced plans to institutionalise a zoning arrangement for elective offices in the state as part of efforts to ensure equitable political representation and strengthen democratic inclusiveness.
The farmer-governor disclosed this during a strategic meeting with critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and party aspirants at the Hauwa Wali Multipurpose Hall, Government House, Minna.
Governor Bago explained that the proposed policy is aimed at promoting balanced power sharing among the 25 local government areas of the state. According to him, formalising the zoning arrangement would enhance inclusiveness and minimise political tension across Niger State.
He revealed that the state 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 monopolise political offices beyond eight years, insisting that rotational leadership remains vital for justice, unity, fairness, 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, so that there will be everlasting peace in Niger State,” he said.
Governor Bago acknowledged that the Nigerian Constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to contest elective offices regardless of senatorial district or geographical location. However, he noted that Niger State has historically operated an informal zoning arrangement that has helped sustain political balance and harmony over the years.
Political observers have described the proposed gazetting of the zoning system as a major step toward institutionalising power-sharing arrangements and strengthening internal political stability in the state.
The meeting also provided an avenue for APC stakeholders and aspirants to deliberate on strategies for sustaining party unity ahead of future political contests.
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