In order to allow Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other Southerners to run against President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming election, the Peoples Democratic Party decided to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South at its 102nd National Executive Committee meeting.
Additionally, the party’s NEC confirmed Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman and maintained the current National Working Committee zoning formula for the November elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The former governor of Anambra needs more time to think before deciding on his next political move, according to supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, including Tanko Yunusa, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
Bala Ibrahim, the director of publicity for the All Progressives Congress, responded to the zoning arrangement by saying that the PDP will lose in 2027 regardless of the man it chooses for president or the area he represents.
The PDP’s political fortunes have always been influenced by zoning.
Members from the north resisted former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, arguing that the presidential ticket should go back to their area.
Their uprising helped the All Progressives Congress beat the PDP.
The same thing happened in 2023 when five governors opposed the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The governor at the time, Nyesom Wike, is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite having opened the ticket, the zoning committee, led by Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State at the time, contended that the South should be given consideration following President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.
The North Central leaders sought to fill the post when Senator Iyorchia Ayu was removed as National Chairman in 2023 due to a court decision, but their plea was turned down.
Important individuals such as former Senate President David Mark, Senator Dino Melaye, and former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam defected to the African Democratic Congress, the opposition alliance, as a result of this.
The PDP has experienced numerous crises since 2015 due to disagreements about the zoning of the presidential ticket or NWC positions.
The 44-member zoning committee of the PDP, which is chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, said Monday that the NEC was also pleased with the degree of readiness of the PDP’s different organs, chapters, and structures for the 2025 Elective National Convention, which is set to take place in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on November 15–16, 2025. sent the 102nd NEC its report.
Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, told reporters following the NEC meeting in Abuja that the Zoning Committee, which was chaired by Governor Diri, presented a report that led to the decision.
The conference praised the work of the PDP governors, Board of Trustees, NWC, the National Assembly Caucus, and other party organs toward the success of the 2025 National Convention, according to the PDP National Publicity Secretary, who read the 102nd NEC communiqué.
According to the statement, “NEC received and, following much discussion, approved the National Convention Zoning Committee’s report, which suggested that all PDP National Office positions currently located in the Northern region of the country remain in the Northern region.”
“That all PDP National Office jobs that are presently located in the country’s southern region stay in the southern region.”
“That the party’s presidential candidate for the general election of 2027 is hereby zoned to the Southern region, having maintained the position of National Chairman in the Northern region of the country.”
“The regions ought to micro-zone positions within their respective regions for implementation right away.” The PDP Constitution Amendment Committee also provided an update to NEC, which instructed the committee to distribute the draft amendment to the Party’s various branches and organs for additional feedback.
Ologunagba stated that in appreciation of Umar Damagum’s contribution to party stabilization while the National Convention was being held, the NEC confirmed him as the substantive National Chairman with effect from Monday, August 25, 2025.
As seen by the APC’s stifling of the most recent bye-elections in several regions of the nation, he continued, “NEC condemns the APC’s resort to state capture through state-backed intimidation, manipulation, inducement, coercion, and violence against Nigerians.”
The militarization of the recent bye-elections, particularly in Kaduna and Taraba States and Zamfara State, where an excessive number of security personnel were used to conduct the run-off election in just five polling places in the Kaura Namoda South state constituency, was specifically expressed and condemned by NEC.
“NEC declares that this action by the APC is a clear and present danger to democracy and the corporate existence of our country, as it confirms the APC’s desire to transform our nation into a totalitarian one-party state.”
“As we strive to further reposition our party to regain power in 2027, NEC reassures Nigerians of PDP’s commitment to democracy and the defense of the interests and well-being of all citizens.”
Although, it was previously reported that Governor Makinde was one of the candidates most likely to run for the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket from the South, albeit this had not been formally announced.
For Makinde, Obi, and other Southerners interested in the ticket, the road suddenly seems clearer with the new zoning system.
According to Damagum’s prior comments, the PDP has stayed strong and committed in the face of the nation’s formidable obstacles since the last PDP NEC meeting.
“From one convention to the next, the PDP has consistently demonstrated that internal democracy, inclusivity, and respect for collective decision-making remain our guiding principles.” “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.”
“The confidence reposed in us is a reminder of the weight of responsibility we carry as a party and of the need to remain united and disciplined as we march towards the future.” “This NEC, therefore, stands at a defining moment as we prepare for the next National Convention, where the leadership that will steer our party into the 2027 elections will emerge,” he said.
“As we approach our fourth anniversary, please know that I think every member of the current National Working Committee is still incredibly thankful for the chance to serve this party faithfully over the past few years.”
Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State and chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, stated in his remarks that party leaders were working hard to regain Nigerians’ trust.
In order for us to carefully and astutely navigate to convention, the governor observed, “We are really navigating the temptations and some of the challenges that most of you are aware of, the challenges even within the National Working Committee.”
With the assistance of the governors and other elders, the Working Committee has settled all outstanding concerns from the various congresses.
As of right now, I would say that our National Working Committee has signed all of the communications to INEC and that there are no outstanding issues. Therefore, we are navigating and working effectively, and we will undoubtedly try our hardest to keep this party unified.
Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the PDP BoT, stated that the party’s capacity to rebuild, make amends, and reposition itself in advance of 2027 is what millions of Nigerians rely on.
“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,” Wabara said, under the direction of Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the secretary of the Board of Directors, who represented him.
“However, if we are to succeed in 2027, we must embrace three truths: first, on the question of unity and progress. Unity is not merely a slogan; rather, it is the lifeblood of any political organization. Without unity, progress is stunted. Without unity, victory is elusive.”
Our variety, our capacity to differ without being divided, and our willingness to come together for the benefit of all have always been our greatest assets. As party members, leaders, and elders, we must once more live up to that expectation.
The spirit of sacrifice comes in second; we have to be truthful with ourselves. It will take more than just rhetoric to win back the 2027 election. For the benefit of the party as a whole and, more significantly, the Nigerian people, sacrifice will be required.
He bemoaned the country’s hardships and the suffering of its people, emphasizing that Nigerians turn to the PDP for support, hope, and healing leadership.
We should be motivated to give our all and more for the benefit of our country by this weight of expectations.
Thirdly, inclusion and reconciliation: We are aware that some of our members have departed over time, living in self-imposed exile, for various reasons.
“Today, as elders of the party, we must extend a hand of the new reconciliation. This does not mean renouncing our principles.”
Wike responded to the PDP NEC resolutions by saying that the choice to assign the chairmanship to the North and the presidency to the South was a vindication of his.
Wike stated that the PDP had admitted the error in 2022 and was now fixing it in 2025 in a statement released on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
“Recall that the FCT minister and the G-5 had insisted that the PDP’s presidential candidate and its National Chairman must not remain in the same zone, insisting that since Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from the North, had emerged as the presidential candidate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, also from the North, must resign to pave the way for a National Chairman from the South.”
As a result, the party suffered electoral misfortune in 2023 and experienced instability following the elections.
However, the NEC decided today that the PDP 2027 presidential ticket should be assigned to the South because the party’s National Chairman is zoned to the North. Has PDP failed to learn from its mistakes?
Sadly, they are aware of the reality. Wike merely stated, “If you want to win the presidency, take the chairmanship to the South.” However, they responded that they had to take both, and the PDP lost.
“They are making amends in 2025 after realizing their error in 2022. However, given that the only way the zoning can be justified is if the South completes its eight-year term and the North regains the presidency in 2031, isn’t it already too late?
In the meantime, Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator for the Obidient Movement, stated that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the general election of 2023, would want more time to determine whether or not to rejoin the PDP in pursuit of his 2027 presidential goal.
Obi recently met with the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Atiku, among other prominent opposition players.
Prior to these talks, prominent PDP leaders, including as Ibrahim Abdullahi, the current Deputy National Publicity Secretary, and former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, had discussed the necessity of Obi rejoining the party in order to resume his campaign for the nation’s top elected post.
At its NEC meeting on Monday, the PDP designated its 2027 presidential ticket to the South in order to support this possibility. The party also reaffirmed that party positions currently held by Northern Nigerians should remain in the North, while those held by Southerners should remain in the South.
Tanko said in a phone interview that Obi had to defend the Labour Party’s candidate in the November 8 governorship race before he could assess the situation and decide what to do next.
“There will be a discussion about that (possible return to PDP) at the right time,” he stated. He must defend his people’s candidacies in the November elections, as he has stated previously.
He has time to assess the circumstances until November, when he promised to do so. Before he takes action, we must allow him time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the scenario. He will undoubtedly announce his choice to the world.
Ibrahim, the APC’s director of publicity, responded to the most recent PDP development by stating that the party will lose in 2027, regardless of the candidate for president or the area from which he hails.
Ibrahim claimed in an exclusive interview that President Tinubu would be re-elected due to the widespread support for his projects, policies, and programs among Nigerians.
“Zoning to the South is not the problem,” he said. Anywhere throughout the world, they can zone the ticket. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not hold the position of president of the North, the East, the West, or the South. He is Nigeria’s president.
Additionally, the APC is a national party in terms of viewpoint, attitude, and service. Therefore, the sector or region in which the ticket is zoned is irrelevant. It comes down to competence.
And by God’s grace, President Tinubu will run for office once more. And if he does, the APC will defeat the PDP handily because it is performing and fulfilling Nigerians’ hopes and desires, something the PDP cannot do. This is true regardless of where the PDP zones the ticket.
“They let Nigerians down.” Nigerians will actually not want to give them another chance.
In the meantime, the PDP’s chapter in Bauchi State proclaimed its unwavering support for the party’s zoning plan.
In an interview on Monday, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Dayyabu Ciroma, made this statement, emphasizing that the move was made to foster unity and increase the party’s prospects of winning the upcoming general election.
Ciroma asserts that the PDP in Bauchi will unwaveringly support the candidate who wins the party’s primary, irrespective of personal inclinations.
“Yes, I am aware that the PDP has designated the South as the zone for their presidential candidate. “This is to guarantee our victory in the 2027 presidential election and to maintain the party’s unity,” Ciroma stated.
Ciroma underlined that allegiance will only be given to the winner of the primaries when asked if Governor Bala Mohammed would support Peter Obi’s comeback.
Since our goal is the party’s unity and success, we cannot declare at this time that Governor Bala Mohammed would back Peter Obi. We will fully back the candidate who wins the primary now that the South has been zoned. Obi isn’t the only one,” he clarified.
Ciroma added that although Obi, who defected from the PDP before the 2023 election, is still well-liked, there are other South African candidates who may run. He went on to say that other well-known figures, including as former President Goodluck Jonathan, might run on the PDP platform.
We hope Obi rejoins the PDP, even if he is now not a member. We also hope that more reputable figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, will enter the race. We are therefore unable to decide who will receive our support at this time. We will be loyal to whoever wins, and we’ll make sure they help us win,” Ciroma continued.
Dare Adeleke, Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Federal Constituency Matters, added that his principal was in a strong position to win the PDP presidential ticket in the upcoming election.
He said, “Makinde has paid his dues when it comes to party politics. He’s one man who fought the dominance of some people I don’t want to mention.
“If not Makinde, the PDP would not be where it is today. The PDP would have probably gone into extinction. But he led the struggle with his colleague-governors and convinced them that everything is possible, because some of them would have gone to the All Progressives Congress.”
However, a former presidential candidate and PDP chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, faulted the party’s decision to zone the Presidency, warning that it amounted to an endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential candidate and PDP leader, criticized the party’s choice to zone the presidency, claiming that it amounted to endorsing President Tinubu’s reelection campaign.
Shortly after the PDP NEC meeting on Monday, Olawepo-Hashim spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, calling the action “unprecedented” in the party’s history.
He claimed that zoning the presidency to the south is a default strategy for President Bola Tinubu’s comeback since those promoting it are the same individuals who claim to be in the PDP but are willing to work for Tinubu.
