PDP Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to South Amid Leadership Crisis and Internal Realignments

With less than two years to the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to zone its presidential ticket to the South. This decision comes ahead of crucial meetings of the party’s caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Executive Committee (NEC), scheduled for today and tomorrow to address internal issues and ratify prior congresses.

Speaking with Daily Independent on Tuesday, Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor revealed that the party’s presidential ticket is now open to all eligible southerners. He described the upcoming NEC meeting as non-contentious, stating it will focus on preparations for the national convention, review pending congresses, and address zoning arrangements. “The PDP is rebuilding. This NEC builds on the progress made during the last session,” Osadolor said.

Meanwhile, founding members of the PDP under the banner of the Consultative Conference of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders will meet to strategize on reclaiming the party’s original vision and direction.

However, tensions continue within the South-East chapter of the party, as stakeholders have rejected Chief Ali Odefa’s claim as the PDP National Vice Chairman (South East). According to the South East PDP Stakeholders, Egwu Chidiebere Goodluck remains the legally recognized holder of the position following two separate Federal High Court rulings that confirmed Odefa’s expulsion and barred him from representing the PDP. Seprebofa Oyeghe, speaking on behalf of the group, urged the party’s leadership and the public to respect the court’s judgments, warning that any attempt to allow Odefa to participate in upcoming meetings would be treated as contempt of court.

Simultaneously, in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke and the PDP have publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election for the 2027 presidential election. At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Osogbo, the PDP reaffirmed Tinubu’s Osun ancestry and their decision to support his second-term bid. The communiqué, signed by top political figures including Adeleke and his deputy, emphasized grassroots loyalty and dismissed reports of Adeleke’s planned defection to the APC.

While some PDP members initially expressed discontent over the possibility of Adeleke leaving the party, they have chosen to remain loyal to his leadership. The communiqué also reaffirmed Adeleke’s 2026 governorship bid under the PDP platform and directed the state party structure to uphold and disseminate these resolutions statewide.