In a high-powered meeting held at the NAF Conference Centre on Wednesday, senior leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the South.
The gathering, themed “Reclaiming Our Legacy, Renewing Our Collective Vision,” saw a strong push for unity, internal reform, and a renewed commitment to core party values.
Addressing the forum, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, said zoning the presidential ticket to the South would not only position the PDP for electoral victory but also reflect fairness and balance in national leadership.
He urged the party’s National Executive Committee to convene a national convention to elect new officers and ensure transparent primaries.
Gana also emphasized the need for greater inclusion of youth and women in leadership roles, urging the PDP to prioritise innovation and digital fluency as it rebuilds for the future.
Calls for loyalty and discipline rang loud at the meeting, with party leaders denouncing recent defections by high-profile figures.
Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed, dismissed those leaving for newer platforms as political opportunists with no ideological anchor. He warned against dual loyalties and rejected any coalition arrangements that could weaken party cohesion.
The issue of whether to reaccept former members who defected and now seek to return stirred debate. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu and ex-Minister Tanimu Turaki voiced strong opposition, arguing that disloyalty should carry consequences and that long-standing, loyal members must not be sidelined.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum acknowledged the internal divisions and ideological drift that have weakened the PDP in recent years.
He called for a return to discipline, unity, and principled politics to restore the party’s standing as Nigeria’s most resilient political platform.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, addressing the meeting, echoed these sentiments. He appealed for restraint and commitment, urging members to remain and rebuild rather than abandon the PDP out of frustration.
Saraki reminded attendees of the party’s legacy in building Nigeria’s largest economy and promoting national unity, adding that history would not be forgiving if the PDP failed under current leadership.
The event drew an array of party heavyweights, including former governors, ministers, and members of the PDP’s National Working Committee. Former Kaduna Governor Ahmed Makarfi dismissed opposition coalition efforts as unstable, reaffirming the PDP’s place as the nation’s leading alternative to the ruling party.
As the 2027 elections begin to take shape, Wednesday’s meeting marked a significant moment in the PDP’s attempt to reassert itself—focused on strategy, loyalty, and restoring its voice as a national force.
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