Dan Ulasi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has weighed in on the ongoing debate over zoning and power rotation in Nigeria, arguing that historical precedents show the importance of inclusive leadership in maintaining national unity.………
Speaking during an interview, Ulasi reflected on Nigeria’s early post-independence political structure and how it helped foster a sense of belonging among diverse regions of the country. He maintained that equitable representation has remained central to managing Nigeria’s complex political landscape and preventing feelings of marginalisation.
The remarks were made during a political interview on Arise News, a platform widely known for hosting conversations on governance, elections, and national development. The programme featured discussions on zoning arrangements within political parties and whether such practices remain relevant in contemporary Nigerian democracy, especially as debates intensify ahead of future elections.
Ulasi, while drawing from Nigeria’s historical experience, stated:”Before the Nigerian Civil War. For almost 5 to 6 years, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister of this country and Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first governor General and later non executive president, but Atleast he gave a sense of belonging to people from different parts of this country that they have a say.”
He argued that the arrangement in the early years of independence, despite its imperfections, reflected an attempt to accommodate Nigeria’s regional and ethnic diversity within a shared political structure. According to him, such balance was crucial in ensuring that no section of the country felt excluded from governance.
