Former Nigerian sports minister Solomon Dalung said Thursday that no presidential candidate could win power in Nigeria without support from the country’s north, as the African Democratic Congress held primary elections in Nasarawa state.
Speaking in Lafia while monitoring the party’s primaries for state assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats, Dalung said northern voters remained crucial in deciding national elections.
“You can’t win an election in Nigeria without support from the North. You cannot. The North is mainly ADC,” he said.
Dalung also argued that Nigeria was reverting to regional political alignments similar to those seen during the First Republic.
“We are now focusing on regional politics in Nigeria. What took place in the first republic is similar to what is happening now. So, every region has its party,” he said.
“The Igbos have taken APGA. APC, Nigerians have left it to Tinubu and his group. The PDP, Jonathan has brought it down South,” he added.
The former minister made the remarks as political parties intensify preparations ahead of future electoral contests in Africa’s most populous nation.
