A foundational political tradition in Nasarawa State is under unprecedented strain. Governor Abdullahi Sule's approach to selecting his successor is directly testing the informal but powerful principle known as 'zoning'—a power-sharing arrangement designed to rotate the governorship among the state's three senatorial zones.
What is Political Zoning?
In Nigerian state politics, zoning refers to an informal agreement among political elites to rotate key offices, like the governorship, among different geographical or ethnic zones. It functions as a political version of taking turns, intended to prevent one area from monopolizing power and to promote a sense of inclusion and equity. In Nasarawa, this has traditionally meant that after the Nasarawa North zone completes its turn—currently represented by Governor Sule's two terms—the governorship should move to another zone.
The Roots of the Tradition
Nasarawa State, created in 1996 from the old Plateau State, is home to diverse ethnic groups and communities. The zoning principle was adopted by political leaders as a tool to manage this diversity and foster unity. For over two decades, it has provided a predictable rhythm to the state's politics, often becoming the decisive factor in gubernatorial contests, overshadowing party lines or individual popularity.
The Current Crossroads
Governor Sule's current term, which began in 2019 and was reaffirmed in the 2023 election, represents the Nasarawa North zone's turn under this long-standing arrangement. However, his recent actions and perceived preferences for a successor are widely interpreted as challenging this established order. This has created significant political tension and set the stage for a potential realignment.
The core question now is whether this decades-old gentleman's agreement, designed to ensure equitable representation, can withstand the pressures of contemporary political ambitions and calculations. The outcome of this succession battle will not only determine Nasarawa's next leader but will also serve as a verdict on the resilience and relevance of the zoning tradition itself.
