The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the existing National Working Committee zoning formula for the November elective convention.
Addressing journalists after the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed that the decision followed the presentation of a report by the Zoning Committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
Recall that during the 2023 elections, the PDP left open its presidential ticket, leading to the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.
However, some southern chieftains, led by then Rivers State Governor and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, opposed him over what they saw as an unfair power-sharing arrangement for the South.
In the end, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress defeated the PDP candidate.
Following the announcement of the zoning arrangement, Ologunagba stated that the NEC was pleased with the level of preparedness of the PDP’s various organs, chapters, and structures for the 2025 Elective National Convention, which will be held in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th, 2025.
While delivering the 102nd NEC communiqué, Ologunagba stated that the meeting applauded the efforts of PDP governors, the Board of Trustees, the NWC, the National Assembly caucus, and other party organs to ensure the success of the 2025 National Convention.
The communique read in part, “NEC received and, after extensive deliberation, approved the report of the National Convention Zoning Committee, which recommended that all PDP National Office positions currently in the Northern Region of the country remain in the Northern Region.
“That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Southern Region of the country remain in the Southern Region.
“That having retained the position of the National Chairman in the Northern Region of the country, the Presidential Candidate of the Party for the 2027 General Election is hereby zoned to the Southern Region.
“That the regions should immediately micro-zone positions within their region for implementation.
“NEC also received an update from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and directed the Committee to circulate the Draft Constitution Amendment to various organs and chapters of the party for further inputs.”
Ologunagba stated that the NEC confirmed Umar Damagum as substantive National Chairman, effective Monday, August 25, 2025, in recognition of his role in stabilising the party, pending the National Convention.
He continued, “NEC condemns the resort by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to state capture through state-backed intimidation, manipulation, inducement, coercion and violence against Nigerians as witnessed in APC’s muzzling of the recent bye-elections in parts of the country.
“NEC particularly expressed dismay and condemned the militarisation of the recent bye-elections, especially in Kaduna and Taraba States, as well as Zamfara State, where excessive security agencies were deployed in the conduct of the run-off election in only five polling units in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency.
“NEC declares that this action by the APC is a confirmation of the APC’s desire to turn our country into a totalitarian one-party state, which is a clear and present danger to democracy and the corporate existence of our country.
“NEC reassures Nigerians of PDP’s commitment to democracy and the defence of the interest and well-being of all citizens as we work hard to further reposition our party to regain power in 2027.”
