The largest opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

This was confirmed at the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, August 25.

This move by the PDP automatically means the North will produce the national chairman. It was also confirmed that Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum, who has been serving as acting national chairman, would continue in that capacity until December 2025.

Monday’s decisions were taken after a series of fence-mending parleys involving PDP governors, the National Caucus, and the National Working Committee (NWC), among others, held between Friday and Sunday.

At one of the meetings, tempers flared, and leaders engaged in a shouting match after National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu reportedly refused to sign the letter inviting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the PDP National Convention slated for November in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Practically, the PDP was split into two camps—the Seyi Makinde camp and the Nyesom Wike camp—which fought fiercely for the soul of the party before the 102nd NEC.

However, party leaders at the meeting, who noted the absence of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, said they had resolved to forge a common front because they do not expect the APC to play fair in 2027.

In attendance at the event were former Bauchi State governor Adamu Muazu; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana; Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa; former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Turaki, SAN; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun; Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa; Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro; and House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, among others.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, described the PDP’s decision to zone the presidency to the South as “too late.”