2027 Presidency: PDP unveils zoning panel, dispels Jonathan, Obi talks
With roughly two years until the 2027 presidential election, members of the Peoples Democratic Party National Executive Committee are divided over moves by certain individuals to facilitate the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the party.
This comes as the party prepares to inaugurate both the National Working Committee Zoning Committee and the 2027 Election Zoning Committee in Abuja today (Thursday).
Some senior members of the National Working Committee, who are also part of the NEC, and spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to comment publicly, questioned why Jonathan, who left the party at a critical time, and Obi whose defection to the Labour Party hurt the PDP’s 2023 prospects, now seek to return.
Others within the NEC welcomed the idea but stressed that the PDP already has capable and qualified members, such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and others, who could represent the party in the 2027 presidential race.
not officially reached out to Jonathan and Obi, adding that those reaching out are doing so individually and not on behalf of the party.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced that the Zoning Committee would be inaugurated on Thursday (today), adding that the party already boasts a sufficient pool of credible presidential contenders.
Reacting, the All Progressives Congress, Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that regardless of who the PDP fields as its 2027 presidential candidate, the ruling party’s candidate, President Bola Tinubu, will secure victory.
The PDP recently emerged from a prolonged internal crisis that lasted several months.
During this period, several prominent members, such as its 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, current Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and other key leaders, defected to the APC and the newly formed African Democratic Congress.
As part of efforts to restructure and reposition, the PDP, at its 101st NEC meeting on July 24, resolved to hold a National Elective Convention on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect 19 new members into its National Working Committee.
In recent weeks, to populate the party, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, met separately with former President, Jonathan in Bayelsa and former Labour Party presidential candidate Obi in Bauchi, with discussions reportedly centered on their possible return to the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Additionally, party leaders such as former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Jerry Gana, and others have publicly urged Jonathan and Obi to rejoin the PDP.
Beyond the PDP, Nigerians remain divided over Jonathan’s eligibility, following a 2018 constitutional amendment that prohibits anyone who has been sworn in twice in the past from contesting for the presidency or a governorship.
Sections 137(3) and 182(3) of the Constitution address this matter, stating that a person who has been sworn in to complete another person’s term as President or Governor may only be elected to that office for one additional term.
