The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, setting the stage for a potential face-off between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and other southern contenders against President Bola Tinubu.

The decision was ratified on Monday at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, following the presentation of a report by the Zoning Committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.

The NEC communiqué, read by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, affirmed that all national offices currently held in the North would remain there, while those in the South would also be retained. With Umar Damagum confirmed as substantive National Chairman from the North, the presidential ticket was consequently zoned to the South.

Ologunagba said the NEC expressed satisfaction with preparations for the party’s elective national convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. He added that the NEC condemned the APC’s alleged use of intimidation, inducement, and security deployment in recent by-elections, warning that Nigeria risked sliding into a one-party state.

Zoning has repeatedly shaped PDP’s fortunes. In 2015, northern members opposed then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, paving the way for the party’s defeat. Similarly, in 2023, five governors led by then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy, deepening internal divisions after Ayu refused to resign as National Chairman.

The fallout saw high-profile defections, including former Senate President David Mark, Senator Dino Melaye, and ex-Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam, weakening the party’s national appeal.

Reacting to the new arrangement, Wike declared himself vindicated, saying the PDP was correcting its 2022 “mistake” of keeping both the chairmanship and presidential ticket in the North.

Although he has not formally declared, Governor Makinde is seen as a front-runner for the PDP ticket, with his aides insisting he has “paid his dues” in keeping the party afloat.

Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has recently met with PDP leaders including Atiku Abubakar and Governor Bala Mohammed. The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa, said Obi would take a decision after the November 8 governorship election in Anambra, adding that he needed “time to reflect on the pros and cons” of a possible return to the PDP.

Other southern figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, have also been mentioned as potential aspirants.

PDP leaders at the NEC stressed the importance of unity, sacrifice, and reconciliation ahead of 2027.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed said efforts were ongoing to resolve lingering disputes, while Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara urged members to “embrace sacrifice and reconciliation” to regain Nigerians’ trust.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the PDP’s zoning decision as irrelevant. Its Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said President Tinubu would defeat any PDP candidate because “APC is national in outlook and is delivering on Nigerians’ expectations.”

Similarly, PDP chieftain and former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim warned that zoning the ticket to the South was a “default endorsement” of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

With zoning settled, attention now shifts to whether the PDP can unite around a southern candidate. For Makinde, Obi, and others, the path to the ticket is clearer but party cohesion and alliances will determine whether the PDP can mount a serious challenge in 2027.