Key points

• PDP leaders court Jonathan for the 2027 presidential ticket.

• Olawepo-Hashim rejects PDP zoning decision and vows open contest.

• Party insists zoning to the South promotes unity and stability.

Leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are in talks with former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to contest for the presidency in 2027 on the party’s ticket.

The consultations followed the party’s decision at its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

While the move was intended to strengthen party unity, it has ignited mixed reactions from Northern groups and aspirants.

Sources close to Jonathan confirmed the meeting with PDP leaders, saying he is still consulting.

“At the end of the day, the former president said he was still consulting and would get back to them,” one source said.

The zoning decision has also fueled speculation that it favors FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a claim the party denied, stressing the arrangement was about fairness and stability.

Olawepo-Hashim says zoning decision will not stand

Presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim strongly rejected the PDP’s zoning plan, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional.

He insisted that the party’s national convention, not NEC, holds the final authority on zoning.

“This zoning decision will not stand,” Olawepo-Hashim told reporters in Abuja.

He recalled leading efforts in 2000 that overturned NEC’s attempt to extend the tenure of the National Working Committee, predicting history will repeat itself.

He argued that restricting the ticket to the South shuts out qualified candidates.

“Why should PDP zone its presidential ticket and rob members of choice? Nigeria needs competence, not sectionalism,” he said.

The former publicity secretary also received support from PDP members in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who openly endorsed his candidacy and rejected the NEC resolution.

PDP defends zoning move as sacrifice for unity

Party leaders, however, defended the decision. National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the zoning plan reflects PDP’s founding principle of rotating power between North and South. He insisted it was not designed to glorify Wike or any individual.

“The PDP has capacity to reorganize and reposition itself. The decision to zone the presidency to the South is about unity and stability,” he said.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed echoed the sentiment, describing the zoning move as a “sacrifice for unity.” He urged members to prioritize the collective good over personal ambition.

With the national convention scheduled for November 2025 in Ibadan, PDP insiders say debates will intensify as aspirants push for clarity ahead of the 2027 race.