The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, opening the door for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other southern aspirants to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
The decision was reached on Monday at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
The NEC also ratified the current National Working Committee (NWC) zoning arrangement ahead of the party’s November elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, while confirming Umar Damagum as substantive National Chairman.
Announcing the outcome of the meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision followed the presentation of a report by the 44-member Zoning Committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
He described Makinde as a strong force within the party, stating:
“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, the zoning decision has triggered mixed reactions within and outside the party.
Former presidential candidate and PDP chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, faulted the move, warning that it could play into the hands of the ruling party.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today shortly after the NEC meeting, 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.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also dismissed the PDP’s chances in 2027.
Its Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, argued that the opposition party was “destined for defeat,” regardless of who emerges as its presidential candidate or the region they represent.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to trail the political future of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Loyalists under the Obidient Movement, led by national coordinator Tanko Yunusa, said the former Anambra State governor was still consulting.
“He needs more time to reflect before deciding on his next political move,” Yunusa said.
The issue of zoning has historically shaped the PDP’s internal politics and fortunes at the polls.
In 2015, northern members opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, insisting the presidential ticket should return to their region a revolt that contributed to the party’s loss to the APC.
A similar rift played out in 2023 when five governors, led by then Rivers State Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, resisted the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Despite a zoning committee chaired by then Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, recommending that the ticket be thrown open, the group argued that the South deserved consideration after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
The PDP has also struggled with internal wrangling over its chairmanship.
Following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by court order in 2023, North Central leaders demanded the slot be retained in their zone, but their request was rejected.
The fallout prompted high-profile defections, including former Senate President David Mark, Senator Dino Melaye, and ex-Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam, who joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
From 2015 to date, disputes over zoning whether of presidential tickets or party leadership positions have remained a recurring source of crisis within the PDP.
