A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Eme Okoro, has urged the party to consider zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to the South East region to avoid electoral failure. Okoro, a former Secretary to the Abia State Government, made this statement while addressing journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, on the current crisis within the party.
According to Okoro, the PDP’s failure to guarantee the interests of the South East region may lead to a decline in voter support. He emphasized that the party was founded on the principles of mandate and support from the people, but has since lost trust due to issues such as imposition, impunity, and disregard for agreements. Okoro stressed that the party must respect the principles of equity and zone the presidential ticket to the South East to avoid past mistakes.
The PDP chieftain cited the party’s poor performance in the 2023 general elections in Abia State as an example of the consequences of ignoring his warnings against imposition and disrespect for the Abia Charter of Equity. Despite being a PDP member, Okoro disclosed that he supported Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party, citing the governor’s achievements as the reason for his endorsement.
Okoro’s statement highlights the ongoing debate within the PDP regarding zoning and the party’s need to reassess its strategy to regain voter trust. The call for the party to zone its presidential ticket to the South East region is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the perceived marginalization of the region and ensuring a more equitable distribution of power.
The PDP’s decision on zoning is expected to have significant implications for the party’s performance in the 2027 elections. As the party navigates its internal crisis, it must balance the interests of its various stakeholders to regain the trust of voters and remain a viable force in Nigerian politics. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the PDP’s approach to zoning and candidate selection will be closely watched by political observers and analysts.