The political statement by Sumner Sambo about Atiku Abubakar potentially securing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket and then receiving support from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) touches upon some of the most complex and debated aspects of Nigerian politics: party loyalty, zoning, and political pragmatism.

The idea of Atiku Abubakar leaving one party and gaining support from another isn't unprecedented. His political career has been characterized by significant party movements. He was a founding member of the PDP, but has left and rejoined the party on multiple occasions. His most recent departure from the PDP and a move to the ADC, where he has formed a coalition with other key opposition figures, is a strategic decision that reflects the fluid nature of Nigerian politics.

This history makes the idea of a cross-party alliance, as Sambo suggests, a plausible scenario rather than a complete impossibility. It points to a political landscape where personal ambition and strategic alliances often supersede rigid party loyalty.

The perception that Atiku is "already out" due to the PDP zoning its presidential ticket to the South is based on the ideal function of the zoning principle. In practice, however, zoning is often more of a guideline than an absolute rule. It's designed to promote equity and national unity by ensuring the presidency rotates between the North and South. However, there have been instances where the principle was either disregarded or contested.

For example, in the 2023 elections, the PDP nominated a northerner (Atiku) despite the informal zoning agreement for the presidency to shift to the South after a northern president. This demonstrates that zoning is a subject of intense internal debate and can be overridden by a party's desire to field a candidate they believe has the best chance of winning.

Sambo's statement can be interpreted as either a planned hypocrisy or a hidden reality. It can be seen as hypocritical if the PDP, after frustrating a core member on the basis of a zoning arrangement, turns around to support that same person from another party. Such an action would suggest a lack of principle and a willingness to prioritize political expediency over party ideals.

However, it could also be a hidden reality of political survival. The PDP might see that a coalition with a strong opposition candidate, like Atiku, is their best chance to unseat the ruling party. In this context, backing a candidate who has a strong national following, regardless of the party he is running under, would be a pragmatic, albeit unprincipled, move. It reflects a political landscape where alliances of convenience are the norm, and the ultimate goal is winning power.