By Onilede Titi Faith
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and retained the national chairmanship in the North ahead of its national convention billed for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The decision was taken on Monday at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where Amb. Umar Damagum was also confirmed as substantive national chairman for four months, pending the convention.
Announcing the outcome, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said NEC adopted the zoning committee’s report, which maintained the current distribution of party offices across regions, while micro-zoning would be handled internally.
He noted that NEC also directed the Constitution Amendment Committee to circulate its draft proposals for wider input across party organs, adding that preparations for the Ibadan convention were on track.
PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said all lingering congress disputes had been resolved, stressing that the party was united and ready for the convention.
National Chairman Damagum urged members to close ranks, describing the PDP as a credible opposition prepared to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Zoning Committee Chairman and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, said the decision to zone the presidency to the South was taken to entrench inclusivity and fairness within the party.
Meanwhile, NEC condemned the APC for what it called “state capture through intimidation, coercion and manipulation” during recent by-elections.
The next NEC meeting holds on October 15, 2025.
