The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified its decision to zone the 2027 presidency to the South, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, explained that the party’s decision to nominate former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as its presidential candidate in 2023 was deliberate, despite him being a northerner.
According to Moro, the party leadership had decided to put its best foot forward in 2023, regardless of the candidate’s region of origin. However, this decision ultimately backfired. The PDP had faced criticism for not zoning its presidential ticket, which led to Atiku’s emergence as the party’s candidate. This move was seen as one of the factors that contributed to the party’s crisis, with some members, including former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, working against the party in the last general elections.
Moro, speaking on Arise News, stated that the party’s decision to zone the 2027 presidency to the South was based on the principle of equity. The PDP aims to present a stronger and more viable opposition in 2027, and this decision is seen as a step towards achieving that goal. By zoning the presidency to the South, the party hopes to address the regional imbalance that has been a point of contention in the past.
The PDP’s NEC meeting marked a significant shift in the party’s approach, as it seeks to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 elections. With the party’s house now being put in order, the focus will be on finding a suitable candidate from the South to contest the presidency. The decision to zone the presidency to the South is expected to have far-reaching implications for the party’s internal dynamics and its chances in the upcoming elections.
As the PDP moves forward, it will be important to watch how the party navigates its internal challenges and positions itself as a viable opposition in the lead-up to 2027. The party’s ability to present a united front and find a strong candidate will be crucial in determining its success in the next election cycle. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the PDP’s decision to zone the presidency to the South marks an important turning point in the party’s efforts to reclaim its position as a major force in Nigerian politics.
