The Peoples Democratic Party, at its 102nd National Executive Committee session, has resolved that its presidential ticket for the 2027 election will go to the South. This decision clears the path for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other southern aspirants to take on President Bola Tinubu at the polls.
The NEC also endorsed the existing National Working Committee zoning arrangement ahead of its November convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, and confirmed Umar Damagum as the party’s substantive National Chairman.
In another development, associates of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he requires more time to reflect before making a final choice on his political future. The comment was made by Tanko Yunusa, the Obidient Movement’s national coordinator.
Reacting to the zoning outcome, the All Progressives Congress publicity director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed PDP’s chances, insisting the ruling party would defeat it in 2027 regardless of who emerges as flagbearer or where such candidate comes from.
Zoning has historically influenced PDP’s trajectory.
Back in 2015, some northern members opposed ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidacy, arguing that the ticket should shift back to their region. This revolt was part of the reasons the party lost power to the APC.
A similar scenario unfolded in 2023 when five governors, led by then Rivers State Governor, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, rejected Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy. Though the committee chaired by ex-Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom, had opted to throw the race open, the governors maintained that the South should be considered after President Buhari’s two terms.
When Senator Iyorchia Ayu was removed as PDP Chairman by a court ruling in 2023, North Central leaders demanded to fill the vacancy, but their call was ignored. The fallout triggered defections of prominent figures such as former Senate President David Mark, Senator Dino Melaye, and ex-Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam to the African Democratic Congress.
From 2015 onwards, quarrels over zoning presidential tickets and party leadership have repeatedly destabilised the PDP.
On Monday, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who chaired the 44-member zoning panel, presented his committee’s report to the NEC.
After the meeting, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba briefed reporters in Abuja, confirming that the decision followed Diri’s report.
He also announced that NEC expressed confidence in the preparations being made by the party’s organs and state chapters for the November 15–16, 2025 elective convention in Ibadan.
Reading from the NEC communiqué, Ologunagba said the meeting applauded PDP governors, its Board of Trustees, National Assembly caucus, and other structures for their contributions to the upcoming convention.
The communiqué stated that the NEC, after lengthy deliberations, approved the zoning committee’s recommendation that all party offices currently held in the North remain there, while those in the South also stay put. It further decided that since the North retained the chairmanship, the presidential ticket must now be allocated to the South. The regions were also directed to micro-zone their offices internally. The NEC additionally received updates from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and instructed that the draft be circulated for feedback.
According to Ologunagba, Umar Damagum was confirmed as substantive Chairman effective August 25, 2025, in recognition of his stabilising role.
He went on to say, “NEC condemns the resort by the APC to state capture through state-backed intimidation, manipulation, inducement, coercion and violence against Nigerians as witnessed in the APC’s muzzling of the recent bye-elections in parts of the country.”
The communiqué particularly criticised the heavy security deployment during bye-elections in Kaduna, Taraba, and Zamfara, describing it as a threat to democracy and national unity.
It added that PDP remains committed to protecting democracy, defending citizens’ interests, and regaining power in 2027.
Although he has not formally declared his ambition, The PUNCH had earlier reported that Governor Makinde was being considered as one of the possible presidential aspirants from the South. The latest zoning decision strengthens that possibility, along with Peter Obi and other southern hopefuls.
In his remarks, Damagum emphasised that despite Nigeria’s difficult conditions, the PDP has shown resilience and remains focused.
He stated, “Nigerians are looking up to the PDP not only as the strongest opposition party but as the only credible alternative, capable of restoring hope, equity, and justice to the Nigerian people.”
He added that PDP continues to uphold internal democracy and inclusivity and described the convention as a defining moment for the party ahead of 2027.
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, also expressed optimism, stressing that leaders were working hard to maintain unity and resolve outstanding disputes before the convention.
He said, “Today, I would say that all the communication to INEC has been signed by our National Working Committee and that we don’t have any determining issue. So, we are navigating and we are working very well, and of course, we will do our best to ensure that this party remains united.”
The PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, represented by BoT Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, urged members to prioritise unity, sacrifice, and reconciliation, warning that success in 2027 depends on it.
He declared, “Once again, the hopes of millions of sovereign Nigerians are tied to our collective capacity to build to reconcile and to position this party ahead of 2027.”
He further stressed that Nigerians are suffering and now rely on the PDP for relief, stability, and good governance.
Former Rivers Governor and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hailed the NEC’s decision, saying it validated his earlier position that both the Chairmanship and Presidential slot should not go to the same region.
In a statement by his aide, Lere Olayinka, he said, “They have realised the mistake they made in 2022 and are correcting it in 2025. But is it not too late already, bearing in mind that the only way the zoning can be justified is for the South to conclude its eight years, while the Presidency returns to the North in 2031?”
Meanwhile, Obidient Movement coordinator, Tanko Yunusa, noted that Peter Obi would only make his political decision after the November governorship election in which Labour Party has candidates.
He said, “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. He will definitely make his decision public.”
The APC, however, remained dismissive of PDP’s zoning move. Spokesman Bala Ibrahim insisted President Tinubu would secure reelection, pointing to his policies and national outlook.
He stated, “They failed Nigerians. As a matter of fact, Nigerians will not want to give them any other chance.”
In Bauchi, the PDP chapter welcomed the zoning outcome. State publicity secretary Dayyabu Ciroma said it would strengthen unity and pledged support for whoever emerges at the primaries.
He explained, “Now that zoning has been made to the South, whoever emerges during the primaries will get our total support. It doesn’t have to be Obi alone.”
Ciroma also suggested that apart from Obi, other credible figures from the South, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, might contest under the PDP platform.
In Oyo, Makinde’s aide, Dare Adeleke, insisted his boss was the frontrunner for the ticket, arguing that he had been instrumental in keeping the party alive and rallying governors against collapse.
But PDP chieftain and former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, criticised the zoning outcome, warning that it inadvertently boosted President Tinubu’s chances.
Speaking on Channels Television, he said, “Zoning the Presidency to the South is a default campaign for the return of President Bola Tinubu because those who are mounting this campaign of zoning to the south are the same people who are saying, ‘we are in PDP,’ but will work for President Tinubu.”
Credit: The Punch
