A lawmaker, Ibrahim Gobir, who represents Sokoto East Senatorial District in the red chamber, has said that zoning of political positions is a fundamental right of citizens to address sectional democracy.

Mr Gobir, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said this while briefing journalists in Sokoto.

According to him, whoever is saying zoning is not an option is saying that there is no need to locate other people who have the interest to contest and participate in democracy.

“I believe we have to locate other areas at the national level not to talk of the states or local government levels.

“We are fighting for same Nigeria and the same goal. Therefore, we cannot give more priority to a section or sections and deprive others of their right.

“To be precise, there is a need to share every right equally, including political positions, as such for me zoning is a fundamental right for Nigerians,” he said.

On the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Congresses, Mr Gobir said that the Sokoto state chapter of the party was fully prepared to ensure fairness and justice was done at the exercise.

“We are trying to see how consensus will reveal the leaders of the party. But in areas where consensus does not work, we will ensure a free and fair election to determine the leaders,” the legislator said.

In May, the ruling All Progressives Congress foreclosed talks about zoning the presidency to any part of the country in 2023, saying the party belonged to all Nigerians.

Nonetheless, Southern Governors’ Forum, on July 5, demanded that the country’s presidency be reserved for the southern region after North’s President Muhammadu Buhari completes his eight-year term in 2023.