The Peoples Democratic Party established a 44-member zoning committee in advance of its National Elective Convention, which is set for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The group is tasked with making decisions that would determine the party’s future and rebuild public trust.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum stated during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Thursday that the panel, which is led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, will guarantee equity in the distribution of National Working Committee seats.
He emphasized that in addition to deciding the allocation of party posts, the committee’s recommendations might also reveal which geopolitical region would receive the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The PDP‘s electoral prospects have historically been impacted by zoning. Members from the north rejected then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 reelection campaign, demanding that the ticket be zoned to their area. This dissatisfaction helped the party lose to the All Progressives Congress.
Five governors, led by Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State at the time and currently the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy in 2023. Although a zoning committee led by Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State at the time, opened the ticket, dissenters contended that the South should have been given preference following Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year term. The PDP lost to the APC once more.
North Central leaders sought the authority to choose the next National Chairman once Senator Iyorchia Ayu was removed in 2023. Prominent individuals, including as Senator Dino Melaye, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, and former Senate President David Mark, defected to the newly established African Democratic Congress as a result of this demand being denied.
“Zoning issues, whether for the presidential ticket or NWC positions, have continuously thrown our party into crisis since 2015,” Damagum stated.
Damagum called the zoning process the “engine room” for establishing the PDP’s leadership base for the ensuing four years and urged the committee to act with “wisdom, foresight, and fairness.”
“Our zoning process must reward loyalty, foster unity, and position us for electoral success by reflecting fairness, equity, and strategic thinking,” he stated. “PDP above all others and PDP above any self-interest.”
Citing his own unannounced promotion to the top position, Damagum, who was acting chairman after serving as Deputy National Chairman (North), assured members that deputies are “just as important as principals.”
“Our party’s lifeblood is loyalty. Unity is impossible without it. However, skill and loyalty must coexist,” he continued. “Pragmatism, not sentiment, is what politics demands—especially at this time when the economy has left many Nigerians disillusioned.”
The zoning committee’s work will “lay the foundation for the PDP’s future,” according to National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, who also mentioned that the committee would present its findings to the National Executive Committee on August 25.
Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, promised the committee that the governors would fully back the PDP, stating that it was still Nigeria’s greatest chance for legitimate government.
He claimed that “wors, melancholy, hunger, and anger have been left behind by the many years of APC administration.” “Perhaps the losses we experienced helped us recognize our shortcomings so that we could improve.”
Speaking on the committee’s behalf, Diri promised to deliver “a fair and just zoning formula” through an inclusive and consultative process.
The vice chairman of the committee is Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, while the secretary is Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State.
Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, issued a warning the day before the inauguration that the party would not accept any member’s treachery, emphasizing that “anything short of 100 per cent loyalty” would result in punishment under the party’s constitution.
His statement came after Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike recently warned that if the party does not recognize the zonal congress that elected Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman (South-South) and reorganize the South-East zonal congress, new crises may break out.
Wike was fired by Ologunagba, who claimed that a constitutionally authorized caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi had been established since the South-South Zonal Committee’s term ended in March.
He declared, “PDP will not accept conditions from anybody.” “Party membership is entirely voluntary, but disloyalty is not acceptable to us. You may fulfill your political ambitions and aims only with this political party. Ninety percent of the departing individuals received their training in the PDP.
“We are strong, stable, and heading toward the National Convention,” he continued. Now is a good moment to return. However, we shall compel complete allegiance.
