By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set the stage for a tense political season ahead of the 2027 presidential elections by zoning its presidential ticket to the South. This decision, which aligns with the All Progressives Congress (APC) expected move to back President Bola Tinubu, has triggered a wave of condemnation from various northern political blocs who feel marginalized and betrayed.
The PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved the issue at its 102nd meeting in Abuja, a move it said was to uphold the unwritten eight-year power rotation principle between the North and South. However, this has not placated some northern stakeholders. The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACON), called the decision “unjust, undemocratic, and a betrayal,” claiming the North has been short-changed, having held the presidency for only two and a half years compared to the South’s 13 and a half years under PDP rule. The group warned of “grave consequences” for the party in the next elections.
Similarly, the North Central Renaissance Movement vehemently rejected the decision, insisting that the region has been consistently marginalized, having never produced a civilian president or vice president since independence. The group warned that any party that does not field a candidate from the North-Central zone will not secure the votes of the people.
Party Leaders Defend Zoning as Essential for Unity
Despite the outcry, key PDP leaders have strongly defended the decision. Former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, described those opposing the move as “selfish and manipulative,” praising the party for prioritizing fairness and equity. “Unanimously… we agreed to zone the ticket to the South for the next four years to complete the eight years in the South,” he stated.
In a show of unity, the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen Forum, Mr. Austin Nwachukwu, affirmed that the decision is now binding on all members. PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Mr. Okechukwu Osuoha, hailed the move as a turning point that will unify the party and restore its credibility.
Zoning Decision Reshapes Political Landscape
The PDP’s zoning has sparked broader political implications. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition of opposition groups, flayed both the PDP and APC for focusing on zoning two years before the election instead of addressing the nation’s problems. The ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, suggested the move might be a calculated effort to lure back high-profile figures like former President Jonathan and Peter Obi.
Sources close to Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, revealed he is under pressure from PDP leaders to return to the party. Obi, who left the PDP ahead of the 2023 elections over a similar zoning dispute, is reportedly “consulting” on the matter, keeping both the LP and PDP guessing about his next move.
Meanwhile, a PDP Governors’ Forum meeting is scheduled to take place in Zamfara State to find a political solution to the internal strife and ensure a smooth national convention.