2027: PDP Zones Presidency To The South, Power Realignment in PDP as Southern Nigeria Secures 2027 Ticket

 

A major political recalibration is underway in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it formally zones its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, departing from the all-inclusive approach taken in the 2023 elections. This landmark decision was endorsed during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held in Abuja, and is seen as an attempt to restore regional trust, particularly among the party’s southern base.

The resolution follows key recommendations from PDP founding members who have expressed the need for internal reforms and strategic repositioning ahead of the next general elections. Party officials believe the zoning move could offer the PDP a stronger bargaining platform in the South, where feelings of marginalization had simmered since the 2023 contest.

An equally significant outcome from the NEC meeting is the relocation of the party’s Elective National Convention to Ibadan, Oyo State. Originally slated for Kano, the new venue decision is expected to ripple through party ranks, given the tense relationship between two major PDP figures — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

Party insiders view the relocation to Makinde’s political territory as more than a logistical change; it is being interpreted as a deliberate power shift, boosting the influence of the Oyo governor while potentially weakening the grip of Wike and his loyalists. The strain between the two former allies has grown increasingly visible, with accusations flying from both camps regarding betrayal and sabotage.

Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, presided over the session, which drew participation from key stakeholders focused on stabilizing the PDP’s political footing. He addressed the recent wave of defections to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that many former members have already returned to the PDP fold.

Reinforcing this point, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), projected confidence in the party’s capacity to bring back more members if its upcoming convention is managed with credibility and vision. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who chairs the PDP Governors Forum, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing reconciliation as a core priority.

Behind closed doors, the NEC ratified the timetable for the national convention, now scheduled to take place on November 15 and 16, 2025. According to National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, the event will serve as a benchmark for PDP’s dedication to internal democracy, unity, and consensus-driven politics.

Within the party, many see the southern zoning of the presidential ticket as a peace offering to regions that felt politically shortchanged during the last election cycle. A member of the NEC disclosed that the goal is to rebuild confidence and energize southern party leaders who had grown increasingly distant. The party also confirmed that its existing zoning framework for national offices would remain unchanged in a bid to avoid inflaming further tensions.

Despite the unifying rhetoric, the feud between Wike and Makinde continues to cast a long shadow over the party. Wike has publicly criticized Makinde for allegedly violating internal pacts, while Makinde’s allies believe Wike is now acting in concert with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the PDP from within.

To strengthen party discipline, the NEC instructed the National Working Committee (NWC) to pursue legal steps to reclaim legislative seats from members who defected to other political parties. Citing constitutional provisions, party leaders emphasized that such defectors automatically forfeit their seats and cannot represent the PDP while maintaining dual affiliations.

A new layer of oversight was added with the approval of the membership for both the National Convention Committee and the Convention Zoning Committee. These bodies will oversee preparations to ensure fairness, transparency, and credibility throughout the process.

The PDP NEC meeting concluded with an announcement that the next gathering will take place on August 25, 2025. Party stakeholders are hoping that the decisions made in Abuja, especially the Southern zoning directive and the choice of Ibadan as the convention venue, will serve as turning points for PDP’s future direction and internal cohesion.

If executed well, this strategic shift could redefine the political landscape heading into 2027, giving the PDP renewed leverage in the South and revitalizing its standing as Nigeria’s primary opposition force.