2027 Presidency: Northern Groups Dismiss PDP’s Chances Over Zoning
Northern political groups have dismissed the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 presidential election, warning that the decision to zone the party’s presidential ticket to the South has further weakened its influence in the North.
The position followed the adoption of the PDP zoning committee’s recommendation at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, which resolved that the South should produce the next presidential candidate of the party.
Leader of the Arewa Youth Assembly, Salihu Mohammed Danlami, said the PDP lost credibility when it abandoned its power rotation principle in 2023 to field former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, breaking what he described as a gentleman’s agreement.
“There was a gentleman’s agreement on power rotation: eight years in the North, then eight years in the South. In 2019, both APC and PDP fielded northern candidates. Then in 2023, PDP broke the arrangement by abandoning zoning and giving the ticket to Atiku. That was the beginning of the crisis,” he said.
Danlami added that many northerners now see the PDP as weakened and have shifted their support to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Northerners who are in opposition believe the PDP has lost credibility. Many have already decided to move to the ADC. Today, the PDP is seen by some as little more than a civil society group advocating for others’ interests,” he said.
Despite these concerns, PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Okechukwu Osuoha, hailed the zoning decision as a turning point that would unify the party and restore its credibility ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The zoning arrangement is the best step the PDP has taken to stabilise the party and prepare it for victory in 2027. We are putting our house in order, and Nigerians should be assured that the PDP is ready to rescue the country from the poor governance of the APC,” he said.
Osuoha explained that the upcoming elective National Convention in November would build on the decision and cement party unity.
“The process has already started. The zoning committee presented its report on how all party positions, including the presidential ticket, will be zoned, and we adopted it wholeheartedly. We also discussed constitutional amendments. All these decisions show the party is focused, united, and determined to move forward,” he added.
He insisted that zoning was key to inclusiveness and stability, arguing that it would give all regions a sense of belonging.
“Zoning remains the most credible path to unity. It reassures all parts of the country that the party is fair and just. That is why I fully support the zoning arrangement. It is the tool that will help the PDP rescue Nigeria from the APC’s failures in 2027,” Osuoha said.
