2027: PDP’s presidential zoning must come to the south – Wike

In a significant move set to reshape the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) trajectory, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has forcefully called for the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections to be exclusively zoned to the southern region of Nigeria. This declaration emerged from a communiqué read by Wike following a late Monday meeting of influential party figures operating under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP.”

Wike stressed that this zoning arrangement is imperative for the PDP to uphold principles of fairness, inclusivity, federal character, and respect for its own constitution. He highlighted that this decision comes “after the unbroken years of Northern President under President Muhammadu Buhari,” indicating a push for regional balance in the nation’s leadership.

Beyond the zoning demand, the stakeholders also made a crucial pronouncement regarding the party’s internal leadership structure. They unequivocally affirmed Senator Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of the PDP. Wike emphasized that, in line with the party’s constitution, only Senator Anyanwu possesses the authority to issue notices for meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee (NEC), National Caucus, and the National Working Committee (NWC).

“To this end, all notices not issued by him and actions founded on them, including correspondences to INEC, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” Wike stated, underscoring the group’s insistence on adherence to party regulations and Supreme Court judgments.

The group further resolved that for the PDP to “finally arrest the inexorable drift towards extinction,” it must “without further delay, respect the judgment of the Supreme Court.” This strongly suggests ongoing internal disputes within the party regarding the National Secretary’s position.

By recognizing Sam Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary, Wike and the “Concerned Stakeholders” aim to assert a clear line of authority and bring stability to the party’s administrative functions, which they argue are essential for the PDP’s revival and its viability as a formidable opposition ahead of the crucial 2027 elections. The pronouncement on presidential zoning is likely to ignite further debate and jockeying for power within the party as the next electoral cycle draws closer.