The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern region, reshaping Nigeria’s political chessboard ahead of the next general elections.
The decision was taken at the 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, which also endorsed Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party and approved the zoning of National Working Committee (NWC) offices according to existing regional allocations.
Frontpagenews.ng reports that Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, presented the report of the zoning committee, which was unanimously adopted by NEC members.
Implications for Presidential Aspirants
The zoning move boosts the chances of Southern political heavyweights like Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.
Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, confirmed Obi’s careful consideration, saying:
“He has room to study the situation until what he said he would do in November. We need to give him time to look at the pros and cons of the situation before he makes his move.”
Historical Context of PDP Zoning
The PDP has long wrestled with zoning controversies. In 2015, Northern stakeholders opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, leading to the party’s defeat. Similarly, in 2023, the G-5 governors, led by Nyesom Wike, resisted Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy because both he and then-Chairman Iyorchia Ayu hailed from the North.
This time, NEC resolved to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Reactions Across Party Lines
The PDP BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, emphasized reconciliation:
“Reclaiming victory in 2027 will demand more than rhetoric. It will demand sacrifice in exchange for the collective interest of the party and, more importantly, the Nigerian people.”
But the All Progressives Congress (APC) mocked the decision, insisting that Tinubu’s nationwide appeal would overshadow any PDP candidate. APC spokesman Bala Ibrahim stressed, “The APC is a party that is national in outlook, national in character, and national in service.”
Internal Party Unity Emphasized
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum confirmed that intra-party disputes had been largely resolved, adding:
“All the remaining issues of the various congresses have been resolved by the Working Committee with the help of the governors and other elders.”
