PDP zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to South, confirms Damagum as Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the position of national chairman in the North.

The decision was taken during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.

The NEC also confirmed Umar Damagum as the party’s substantive National Chairman. Damagum, who first assumed the role in acting capacity in March 2023 following the suspension of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, was formerly the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North). His confirmation was seen as recognition of his efforts in stabilising the party.

Zoning the party’s presidential ticket has long been a controversial issue in Nigeria’s political space. In the 2023 elections, the PDP threw its ticket open, which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate. The move sparked internal crisis, with former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, openly opposing the decision and backing Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Tinubu, who hails from the South, has already been adopted by the APC as its candidate for the 2027 polls. Against this backdrop, Wike had in May 2025 warned the PDP against zoning its ticket to the North, arguing it would be a costly mistake.

He said: “As a party, come out openly now and say our presidential candidate will also come from the South. You don’t want to do that; you want to play the same game you played in 2023. It will backfire. I have told people: this smartness will not help you. This is not the time to send the presidency to the North.”

Wike further argued that selfishness could harm the party, noting that if Tinubu wins in 2027, the APC would naturally rotate its ticket to the North in 2031, leaving the PDP in a difficult position.

The PDP is yet to officially announce its flagbearer for the 2027 election.