•Umar Damagum
Unlike what it did in 2023, when it threw its presidential ticket open, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has zoned its 2027 ticket to the South.
This is in tandem with Wednesday’s decision of founding fathers of the party, reports Vanguard.
The PDP also announced that its Elective National Convention would now take place in Ibadan, Oyo State; instead of Kano, a decision that may deepen the rift between the camps of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The NEC adopted the recommendation to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, an outcome viewed as aligning with Makinde’s potential presidential ambition.
The decision was confirmed during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.
The move is seen as a strategic effort to boost Makinde’s influence in the party, possibly to the disadvantage of Wike and his loyalists.
The NEC meeting, chaired by acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, brought together top PDP leaders to tackle key issues affecting party unity and electoral readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This came as Damagun boasted of PDP’s fortunes despite recent defections to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, saying that many of the defectors had returned to the PDP.
But the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said that many defectors would return to the party if it delivers strong and inspiring leadership at its upcoming national convention.
Also, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauch State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the party was ready to welcome the defectors.
Why party chose Ibadan
During a closed-door session, the NEC approved the timetable for the Elective National Convention, which will now take place on November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan, instead of Kano, next month.
Speaking after the meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party remained committed to unity and internal democracy.
“The NEC expressed satisfaction over the resolution of all disputes within the party. This again shows the patriotic nature of our members and the PDP’s tradition of dialogue and mutual understanding for the good of the party and the nation,” he said.
The choice of Ibadan, a stronghold of Governor Makinde, is being interpreted by some party insiders as a tactical move to strengthen his hand in internal power negotiations. The move could reshape the party’s internal dynamics.
A PDP NEC member, who spoke anonymously, told our correspondent, “The mood in the hall was largely in favour of unity and strategic balance.
“After carefully weighing the options, we agreed to adopt the founding fathers’ recommendation to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South. This is meant to rebuild trust among our southern members after the 2023 fallout.
“At the same time, we retained the existing zoning formula for national offices to prevent further conflict. It was a delicate compromise, but one we believe will help reposition the PDP ahead of the next election.”
Tension
However, the decision has escalated tensions between the camps of Makinde and Wike. Once close allies, the two men have become bitter political rivals, trading accusations of betrayal and undermining the party.
Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, had accused Makinde of breaking internal agreements and trying to wreck the PDP from within.
In response, Makinde’s supporters claim Wike is working to weaken the PDP to benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reclaiming defected lawmakers’ seats
In a show of firmness, the NEC also instructed the National Working Committee, NWC, to take legal action to reclaim the seats of lawmakers, both at national and state levels, who have defected from the PDP to other parties.
Quoting constitutional provisions, the NEC noted: “By virtue of the self-executory provision of Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), such defectors have irredeemably lost their seats.”
The NEC further expressed concern over reports that some PDP members were involved in the activities of rival political parties, urging them to return fully to the fold.
“NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment to the PDP. The law does not allow membership of two political parties at the same time,” Ologunagba said.
To ensure a smooth and transparent convention, the NEC also approved the membership of both the National Convention Committee and the Convention Zoning Committee.
The NEC adjourned its session, with the 102nd meeting scheduled to take place on August 25, 2025.
Defectors will return, if… – Wabara
Speaking earlier before the closed door session, former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP BoT, Wabara, said that many defectors would return to the party if it delivers strong and inspiring leadership at its coming national convention.
He was represented by former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
He said: “The Board of Trustees has always supported all organs of the party, especially the governors, in promoting unity and building consensus to move the party forward.”
He added that although many doubted the NEC would hold, it was now a constitutionally recognised event whose outcome would shape the political terrain ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is a very important meeting that many believed would never happen. But here we are, meeting legally and constitutionally. The decisions we take today will send a strong message to those who are still sceptical,” he said.
Coalition defectors flocking back to PDP – Damagum
However, Damagum, disclosed that several members who left the party to join a rival political coalition are now returning.
In his remarks at the NEC meeting, Damagum praised the resilience of the PDP.
He said: “Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting. We accept their confessions without prejudice.”
Damagum also commended the party’s state chairmen, governors, and legislators for their unwavering loyalty.
PDP ready to take back defectors – Bala Mohammed
In like manner, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said the party was open to welcoming back former members who left out of impatience, and emphasised the need for unity and discipline within the party.
Speaking on behalf of PDP governors, Governor Mohammed praised the National Working Committee for their flexibility and urged members to put the party’s interests above personal ambitions.
“We sympathise with those who became impatient and left, but certainly, they will come to understand. We are keeping the door open for them to return, within a reasonable timeframe,” he said.
He stressed the PDP’s determination to provide Nigerians with a reliable and credible political platform.
“We are working quietly behind the scenes with the NWC, the Board of Trustees (BoT), our lawmakers in the National Assembly, and party chapters across the six geopolitical zones, to ensure we remain united,” he added.
Mohammed also issued a strong warning against acts of indiscipline, which he said was due to many of the party’s past troubles.
