The President of the Patigi Emirate Development Union (PEDU), Musa Umar, has advised Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar to respect the existing zoning arrangement in Kwara North Senatorial District and abandon his plan to seek re-election in 2027.

Mr Umar made the call on Tuesday in Patigi while addressing journalists on behalf of stakeholders of the union.

He said that the union was concerned over reports of the senator’s intention to seek re-election for the Kwara North senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

According to him, political stakeholders in Kwara North have, over the years, sustained a peaceful and widely accepted zoning arrangement founded on justice, equity, inclusion and mutual political respect.

He said that the arrangement had helped to preserve political harmony, strengthen inter-community trust and ensure collective ownership of democratic representation within the district.

The PEDU president said it was on the basis of the long-standing understanding that the people of Patigi Local Government Area believed it was the turn of the area to produce the next senator for Kwara North in 2027.

He stated, “Patigi has consistently demonstrated loyalty, political maturity and unwavering commitment to the collective aspirations and stability of Kwara North.

“Our people have supported successive administrations and political leaders in the spirit of unity and regional advancement. Equity and fairness therefore demand that the established rotational principle be respected without compromise.”

The PEDU president called on Senator Sadiq Umar to demonstrate statesmanship and respect the zoning arrangement, honouring the collective agreement among stakeholders and withdraw from the 2027 senatorial contest in the interest of peace, justice and inclusion.

He also appealed to the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider the historic loyalty and electoral contributions of the people of Patigi Emirate to the growth and success of the party.

According to him, the people of Patigi have remained steadfast supporters of the APC through successive electoral cycles, demonstrating political discipline, unity and loyalty.

“It is expected that such loyalty will be reciprocated with fairness, equity and political inclusion in the party’s decision-making process regarding the 2027 senatorial ticket,” Mr Umar said.

He, however, warned that any attempt to deny Patigi Emirate the opportunity to produce the next senator might compel stakeholders and supporters in the area to explore alternative democratic platforms.

“This is not intended as a threat, but a sincere appeal for justice, inclusion and preservation of political trust between the party and the people of Patigi Emirate,” he said.

Mr Umar further reiterated the union’s position of “no to third-term representation,” adding that “two terms are sufficient for every individual.”

Also speaking, the branch Chairman of PEDU, Musa Mustapha, said that the agitation by the people of Patigi was based on fairness and historical political realities within the district.

Mr Mustapha said that since 1999, other constituencies in Kwara North had enjoyed two terms in the Senate, while Patigi had not completed a full eight-year representation.

“For every fair-minded person, it is only normal that the Senate seat returns to Patigi in the next dispensation,” he said.

The PEDU president explained that the zoning arrangement being referenced was not a formal written document, but a mutual understanding that had benefitted political actors in the district over the years.

Mr Mustapha added that the union saw no reason to engage sister organisations in the senator’s constituency, insisting that Mr Umar should voluntarily do the honourable thing by respecting the arrangement. 

(NAN)