ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Monday said it has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while retaining the party’s national chairmanship in the North.
The decision followed the adoption of a report submitted by a zoning committee led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri. The resolution was reached at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
Reading the communiqué after the meeting, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba said the arrangement would guide the party ahead of its elective national convention.
“That all PDP national office positions currently in the northern part of the country remain in the North. That all PDP national office positions currently in the southern part of the country remain in the South,” Ologunagba told reporters.
“Having retained the position of the national chairman in the North, the presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections is hereby zoned to the southern part,” he said.
The NEC also confirmed Umar Damagum as substantive national chairman until the party’s elective convention in November.
“In recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee under the leadership of the acting national chairman, Damagum, in stabilising the party, NEC hereby ratifies and confirms his appointment as the substantive national chairman,” Ologunagba said.
The party said Damagum would serve in that capacity until the convention scheduled for Nov. 15–16 in Ibadan.
The NEC also received updates from its constitution amendment committee and directed that a draft be circulated across organs and chapters for inputs.
In its resolution, the PDP condemned what it called intimidation and excessive deployment of security during recent by-elections in Kaduna, Taraba and Zamfara states.
“The party condemns the militarisation of the recent by-elections, especially in Zamfara where excessive security agencies were deployed in the conduct of run-off election in only five polling units in Kaura Namoda South constituency,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and pledged to “further reposition itself to regain power in 2027.”
The NEC adjourned its next meeting to Oct. 15.
