PDP knocks out Saraki, Bala from 2027 presidential race

 Yesterday’s zoning of the Presidential ticket to the South has effectively ended the ambition of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

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The decision was taken at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the former ruling party in Abuja, after a review of the report submitted by the Convention Committee, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri,  and the Zoning Panel, headed by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.

 Conversely, the option, due to be ratified at the November convention in Ibadan, will bolster the aspirations of potential contenders from the South.

Some of those linked with Presidential ambition in the party are Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and those being wooed to join the race on the party’s ticket like former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

 Another presidential hopeful, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, said the zoning to the South was wrongly done, declaring that nevertheless, he will still seek the party’s ticket.

Jonathan, who was president on the platform of the main opposition party between 2011 and 2015, has been asked to join the race by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and Diri.

Party sources said his ambition may be attractive to PDP leaders from the North because of the belief that he can spend only one term, if elected in 2027.

 Although it has been alleged that Makinde was interested in the race, there is neither confirmation nor denial from the governor.

 However, Obi, the 2019 PDP presidential running mate, is also being persuaded to retrace his steps to the party due to the surprise impact he made during the 2023 poll.

 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, who hailed the decision on zoning, said it would foster equity, fairness and justice in the party.

 Members of the PDP NEC were in one accord as they adopted the zoning resolution at the meeting where the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, was elevated to substantive national chairman.

He was sworn in by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade.

 Other highlights of the meeting were the deliberation on the report of the Convention Committee, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and the Zoning Committee, headed by Diri.

Noting the gale of defections that hit the party, Damagum, who said it would not affect PDP, said the defectors are in a ‘one chance vehicle.”

 Hailing the resolution on zoning, the House of Representatives Caucus vowed to ensure the victory of the party in future polls.

 According to the communique read by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,  all the national positions held by chieftains from the North were retained in the region.

Also, all the national offices currently held by chieftains from the South were retained in the region.

NEC also directed that the positions should be micro-zoned within the regions.

 However, Ologunagba said:  “Having retained the position of the national chairman in the North, the presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 election is hereby zoned to the South.”

 He added: “NEC expressed satisfaction on the level of preparedness of the party at its various organs, chapters and structures for the 2025 Elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on November 15 and 16.

 “NEC acknowledged with satisfaction the efforts and commitment of PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees (BoT), National Working Committee (NWC), National Assembly Caucus and other relevant bodies of the party towards success of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

 “NEC also received update from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and directed the committee to circulate the Draft Constitution Amendment to various organs and chapters of the party for further inputs.”

Wike hailed the decision to retain the national chairman in the North and zone the president to the South.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the decisions would correct past mistakes.

 He said: “Now that the party has realised its mistake of not listening to Wike and the G-5 in 2022, and have chosen to do what they said three years after, have they not been vindicated now?

“The FCT minister and the G-5 had insisted that the presidential candidate of the PDP and its national chairman must not remain in the same zone, insisting that since Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from the North had emerged as the presidential candidate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, also from the North, must resign to pave the way for a national chairman from the South.

“Ayu, however, insisted on not resigning, with Atiku and his group backing him. Aftermath of this was the electoral misfortune the party suffered in 2023, followed by instability after the elections.

“But today, the NEC resolved that since the national chairman of the party is zoned to the North, the PDP 2027 presidential ticket be zoned to the South.

 “Has PDP not come back to eat its own vomit?

“Sadly, they know the truth. Wike simply said, take the chairmanship to the South if you want to gain the presidency, but they said no, they must take the two, and the PDP lost!

 “They have realised the mistake they made in 2022 and are correcting it in 2025. But is it not too late already, bearing in mind that the only way the zoning can be justified is for the South to conclude its eight years, while the presidency returns to the North in 2031.”