2027: PDP plots smart zoning to displace APC

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja, Nigeria

The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Umar Damagum, has warned that zoning of offices in the party is crucial to its success in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the inauguration of the PDP National Zoning Committee at the party’s national secretariat, yesterday, in Abuja, he noted that the zoning of party offices must reflect fairness, as well as reward loyalty.

The 44-man National Zoning Committee headed by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, is saddled with the task of zoning  the National Working Committee (NWC) offices, ahead of the November 15 and16 National Convention.

The zoning of the NWC seats will determine which of the region would produce the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 polls.

The panel, which consists of a member from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) and six nominees from the Board of Trustees (BoT), including Governors Lawal Dauda and Caleb Mutfwang of Zamfara and Plateau states, respectively, is expected to submit its report at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC), on August 25.

Former PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso; former PDP National Women leaders, Hajia Inna Ciroma and former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki are also part of the panel.

The zoning of offices has been a source of discord in the party since the 2015 general elections, where former President Goodluck Jonathan, was the party’s presidential candidate against the stance of the Northern leaders of the party, who believed that the region ought to have produced a candidate to replace late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who died before the completion of his first term in office.

In the 2019 polls, the party zoned the presidential ticket to the North, while the national chairmanship position was ceded to the South. However, in the 2023 polls, the North produced both the national chairman and the presidential candidate.

The development degenerated into a conflict with the G5 governors, which comprised of  Nyesom Wike, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Samuel Ortom, former governors of Rivers, Abia, Enugu and Benue states respectively, as well as incumbent governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, breaking ranks within the party in the last general elections.

Ahead of the 2027 polls, there has been consistent push by the PDP leaders for the presidential ticket to be ceded to the South, while the national chairmanship position be retained in the North.

However, Daily Sun checks revealed that while party leaders are pushing for the retention of the present zoning formula for the NWC seats to brighten the chances of the South producing the presidential candidate, there is also intense lobbying for the positions to be swapped among the geo-political zones.

The national chairmanship of the PDP is currently zoned to the North, and micro-zoned to the North Central, while the National Secretary position, which is zoned to the South, is micro-zoned to the South East. Other positions zoned to the North are deputy national chairman (North); national organizing secretary, national treasurer, national youth leader and national legal adviser. While the positions zoned to the South include deputy national chairman (South), deputy national secretary, national publicity secretary, national financial secretary, national auditor and national woman leader.

Damagum, while emphasising the importance of the task of the zoning committee, said the party needs a pragmatic leadership to lead it to the next general elections.

According to him, “This committee is the engine room where we lay the political foundation for the leadership of the PDP over the next four years. The decisions you take will shape our ability to serve Nigerians, win elections and defend the democratic values we represent.

“We operate in a dynamic political terrain, sometimes turbulent, always demanding the very best from us. In recent times, we have faced changes in leadership and the departure of some members who chose a different path, yet we remain standing because the PDP is bigger than any individual, stronger than any momentary setback and destined to remain a central force in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“That is why the next National Working Committee must not only be representative, it should be visionary, courageous and proactive. We need leaders of integrity, creativity and capacity. We must place individuals who inspire confidence, mobilise effectively and speak to the hopes of Nigerians.

“Our zoning process must reflect fairness, equity and strategic thinking, as well as strengthen our unity, reward loyalty and position us for electoral victory. I trust that the zoning committee will approach its task with wisdom, foresight and a full understanding of the bigger picture: PDP over anyone and PDP above any personal interest.”

The PDP leader added that, “loyalty is the lifeblood of our party. Without it, unity is impossible. Yet loyalty alone is not enough, it must walk hand in hand with competence. As you consider zoning, picture the calibre of individuals who may emerge from each zone. Ask yourselves, will this person embody the values and strength of the PDP in a way that makes us proud before the nation? “Politics demands pragmatism, not sentiment, especially now, when the state of the economy has left many Nigerians disillusioned and disengaged from the democratic process. As a party, we should aim to make decisions that reignite hope and inspire confidence in our people.”

The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, while speaking at the event, said the opposition governors were behind the party leadership in the quest to reposition it ahead of the 2027 polls.

He said: “The governors are behind the National Working Committee in its desire to make sure the party is repositioned for Nigerians to have a credible alternative with experience and the human capital and the foresight that we are known for.

“All the legacies and landmarks of democratic dividends have been provided by the PDP. I believe Nigerians are aware that whatever you see that are tangible in terms of measurable achievements, were done by the PDP.

“The many years of the PDP administration have left woes, melancholy, hunger and anger. We cannot afford that. God has a way of teaching us. Maybe, the lull over the loss that we have suffered is to make us know our limitations and inadequacies, so that we can do better.”

On his part, Diri, who spoke on behalf of the members of the Committee, promised that the panel would deliver a fair zoning formula for the opposition party.

“We will be consultative, we will partner and we will be inclusive in ensuring that we arrive at a fair and just zoning formula for our party. Thank you for finding us worthy to discharge this assignment and we will discharge it to the best of our ability,” the Bayelsa Governor said.