The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern region of the country. The decision was reached at the end of the 102nd NEC meeting held on Monday, 25th August, 2025, in Abuja.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, NEC approved the report of the National Convention Zoning Committee, which recommended that all existing national offices currently in the North and South remain in their respective regions. With the National Chairman’s position retained in the North, the party resolved that the presidential candidate for the 2027 general election be produced from the South.
The NEC also directed all regions to immediately commence micro-zoning of positions within their areas ahead of the 2025 Elective National Convention slated for Ibadan, Oyo State, between Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November.
In recognition of his role in stabilizing the party, the NEC ratified and confirmed Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the PDP until the convention in November.
The meeting further received updates from the Constitution Amendment Committee and directed that the draft amendment be circulated across party organs and chapters for wider input.
Meanwhile, the NEC condemned what it described as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s “resort to state capture” through intimidation, inducement, and violence in recent bye-elections. It particularly frowned at what it called the militarization of elections in Kaduna, Taraba, and Zamfara States, where security operatives were deployed heavily, even for a run-off in only five polling units in Kaura Namoda South Constituency.
The party warned that such actions by the APC were aimed at turning Nigeria into a “totalitarian one-party state,” describing it as a threat to democracy and national unity.
The NEC reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and the welfare of citizens, stressing that the party remains focused on regaining power in 2027. It fixed its next (103rd) meeting for Wednesday, 15th October, 2025.
