The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that its presidential candidate for the 2027 election will come from the southern region of Nigeria. This decision was reached during the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
The NEC also resolved that the office of the National Chairman will remain in the North after reviewing a report presented by the zoning committee led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.
The party further confirmed that its current zoning structure for national offices will not change. Positions already held in the North will remain in the North, while those in the South will stay in the South.
With the chairmanship left in the North, the presidency was officially zoned to the South, and both regions were instructed to share positions internally for balance.
Reacting to the development, Katchy Ononuju, a former aide to Peter Obi, said the ex-Labour Party presidential candidate was a symbol used to push for inclusion in Nigerian politics.
He explained that Obi’s run in the 2023 elections was more about fairness than personal ambition, adding that his candidacy represented a demand that all regions be included in governance.
He commended PDP for taking the bold step and thanked those who fought for this outcome.
Ononuju also said the zoning decision corrected the mistakes caused by Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, which he claimed sidelined the Igbos.
According to him, PDP’s action was a strong message to Atiku, showing that the party realized it was wrong to abandon zoning.
He argued that Atiku may not have acted alone, as some people believe Igbos should not play a major role in governance. Still, he noted that the move is a beginning of healing and fairness in the system.
On his part, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, described PDP’s decision as a welcome development.
He said Peter Obi would decide on his political future at the right time since several political parties have been reaching out to him.
Tanko added that Obi feels humbled by the recognition and assured that his next step will come at the right moment.
