By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the office of National Chairman in the North. This decision was reached on Monday at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.
In a communiqué signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the NEC said the move followed the adoption of recommendations from the National Convention Zoning Committee. The committee proposed that all national offices currently held in the North remain in the North and those in the South stay in the South. With the chairmanship retained in the North, the 2027 presidential ticket was therefore zoned to the South. The communiqué further directed both regions to immediately commence micro-zoning of positions within their zones.
The NEC also confirmed Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party. Damagum, who had been serving in acting capacity, will now remain in office until the party’s elective national convention slated for Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16, 2025. The NEC praised Damagum and the National Working Committee (NWC) for stabilising the party amid recent challenges.
Preparations for the Ibadan convention dominated deliberations at the meeting, with the NEC expressing satisfaction at the readiness of the party’s organs, chapters and structures. It also commended the efforts of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the NWC, and the National Assembly Caucus for their commitment to ensuring a successful convention.
On constitutional reforms, the NEC received updates from the Constitution Amendment Committee and directed that the draft amendments be circulated to chapters and organs of the party for further input ahead of adoption.
The NEC used the opportunity to criticise the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of resorting to “state capture” through intimidation, inducement, coercion and violence in recent bye-elections. It condemned what it described as the militarisation of polls in Kaduna, Taraba and Zamfara States, citing the deployment of heavy security for a run-off election in just five polling units in Kaura Namoda South Constituency of Zamfara State.
According to the PDP, the actions of the APC reveal an intention to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, a move it described as a “clear and present danger” to democracy and national unity. The NEC reassured Nigerians of its commitment to democracy and vowed to reposition the PDP to reclaim power in 2027.
The next NEC meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2025.
