2027: North kicks as PDP breaks tradition, zones presidential ticket to South
By Rauf Oyewole
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken an unprecedented step by deciding to zone its presidential ticket to the South for the 2027 election, a move that marks a significant departure from its established practice since 1999. This decision follows a bitter reckoning with the party’s miscalculations in 2023, when it presented a northern candidate to contest against a southern opponent, a gamble that ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, confirmed the party’s strategic shift, explaining that the party is actively seeking a southern candidate who would serve a four-year tenure, paving the way for the presidency to return to the North in 2031. The choice to zone the ticket to the South is widely regarded within the party as essential to counter President Bola Tinubu’s growing influence and to recalibrate the regional balance of power within Nigeria.
Among the frontrunners under consideration are former President Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi, the latter having openly declared his intention to run for the presidency with a clear four-year plan. Both candidates carry significant appeal in the southern regions, and their potential candidacies are shaping up as pivotal factors in the PDP’s strategy to reclaim the presidency.
This renewed focus on zoning reflects the revival of one of the party’s oldest and most contentious internal fault lines. Debate over whether to restrict the ticket to the South or open it up to all aspirants has intensified sharply, sparking heated discussions about the future direction of the party and its ability to unite diverse regional interests.
Historically, the PDP has sought to maintain a delicate balance between northern and southern Nigeria through the practice of power rotation. The principle was designed to accommodate the country’s complex regional dynamics, ensuring no single region dominated national politics for extended periods. The party fielded former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, in 2019 and again opted for a northern candidate in 2023. This approach generated considerable dissatisfaction in the South, leading to fractures within the party, notably the rebellion of the G-5 governors, who vocally demanded a southern presidential candidate.
Atiku Abubakar’s stance against zoning, citing the party’s constitution, deepened the divide, highlighting the tension between legalistic interpretation and political pragmatism. However, the recent decision to zone the 2027 ticket to the South is widely viewed by insiders as a survival tactic rather than a gesture of fairness.
The 2023 primaries saw intense competition from northern heavyweights such as Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal. Many within the party believed that Atiku’s withdrawal cleared the path for a fresh strategy, with the PDP aiming to present a new generation of politicians capable of challenging the ruling APC and its southern presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Bala Mohammed, who has been outspoken in his leadership as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is steering a course aimed at recalibrating the party’s fortunes. He and other northern leaders recognise the dangers of alienating either region, advocating instead for a political strategy that combines inclusivity with practical considerations. His approach seeks to reconcile the party’s historic commitment to power rotation while adapting to the realities of contemporary Nigerian politics.
A northern PDP insider close to Bala Mohammed explained, “Zoning should serve as a bridge that opens opportunities rather than a barrier that closes doors.” This sentiment underscores a growing willingness within parts of the North to engage constructively with the idea of a southern ticket, moving away from outright opposition.
Bala Mohammed’s efforts have focused on dialogue and consensus-building among governors from both regions. According to party insiders, he is performing a delicate balancing act, trying to maintain party unity while crafting alliances that broaden the PDP’s national appeal. His leadership style, party members say, places the interests of the party above personal ambition, aiming to avoid a repeat of the disunity that erupted during the 2023 primaries when the G-5 governors openly rebelled.
Voices from the South within the PDP maintain that any failure to zone the ticket to their region would erode trust and further weaken grassroots support. The stakes are particularly high given that the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielded Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a southerner, in 2023 and continues to solidify southern political alliances. For the PDP, the zoning decision is therefore far more than an internal disagreement — it is central to the party’s prospects of reclaiming power in 2027.
The zoning debate threatens to deepen existing fissures within the party if mishandled, but if approached with strategic foresight, it could become a unifying factor that rallies the party against the APC’s dominance.
However, some northern loyalists have voiced suspicion about Bala Mohammed’s motivations, accusing him of leveraging his position as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum for personal gain. Critics allege that he is positioning himself as a vice-presidential candidate from the North East, making it politically advantageous for him to endorse zoning the ticket to the South. One party source commented, “We have always operated without formal zoning. Obasanjo, while sitting president, contested the party’s ticket in 2003 alongside other members. We reject politics driven by self-interest.”
Responding to such allegations, Bala Mohammed described the zoning decision as an effort to strengthen unity and stability within the party. He framed the move as an inclusive strategy designed to reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I am thoroughly satisfied with the resolution because I have been involved every step of the way, from strategy to implementation. This is an inclusive decision that sustains the zoning principle, assigning the presidential office to the South to foster sanity, understanding, and unity,” he explained.
He added, “Politics transcends personal interest. It is about realising goals within the framework of party decisions and national progress. Success demands sacrifice, not selfishness. We must live and let live, acknowledging that power ultimately comes from God.”
As the PDP navigates this critical juncture, the coming months will be decisive in determining whether the party can mend internal divisions and present a coherent, united front capable of challenging the APC and reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.