A former chairman and national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Kawu Baraje, says the party’s constitution allows zoning of political offices.

“It is stated in the constitution black and white. It was reviewed in the constitution sometime around 2011. Although, before then, it was an oral tradition of PDP, and it was even as good as being written. I met it like that when I took over as party national secretary in 2008,” Mr Baraje explained. 

He added, “Even when it was an oral tradition of the party, it was highly respected. It was formally included in our party constitution in 2011 when we were reviewing the party constitution before I left in 2011.”

Mr Baraje, the new ‘Tafida of Ilorin’, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists in his residence in Ilorin preparatory to his coronation by the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, on Friday.

He explained that zoning was clearly stated in the amended constitution of PDP to give a sense of belonging to all party members.

“It’s not in the constitution of PDP before, but it is now clearly stated in the PDP constitution that zoning should be respected,” the former PDP chair further stated. “There is a caveat in the constitution which says that zoning should be respected for the purpose of giving a sense of belonging to all members of the party and for all-inclusiveness except and only when a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) decides otherwise.”

Mr Baraje, however, said he was not sure former Vice President Atiku was talking of the PDP constitution on zoning.

(NAN)