INEC resolves zoning standoff, fixes convention for Ibadan as reconciliation committee unites warring leaders
BYLINE: IDNN Politics Desk
ABUJA — The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, marking a significant policy shift from its 2023 open-ticket stance. The move, ratified at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, is being hailed as a critical attempt to rebuild trust and internal unity following intense post-election factionalism.
The resolution, which follows weeks of consultation with the party’s founding fathers and regional stakeholders, was confirmed by NEC members who described the mood of the meeting as “strategic and conciliatory.”
“After carefully weighing the options, we adopted the founding fathers’ position to zone the 2027 ticket to the South,” a NEC source told IDNN. “It’s a delicate compromise — but one that renews confidence across southern blocs of the party.”
Saraki: PDP stronger than ever as Damagum–Anyanwu feud ends
Former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, Dr. Bukola Saraki, declared the zoning decision as the culmination of successful peace-building between party factions. He revealed that National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum are now working in harmony.
“The return of Senator Anyanwu and his peaceful collaboration with Ambassador Damagum marks a major milestone,” Saraki said. “This NEC meeting has laid to rest all doubts about internal disunity. We are now focused on Ibadan 2025.”
He confirmed that the PDP’s national convention would hold on November 15 and 16, 2025, with a full organizing committee and zoning committee already constituted to determine the allocation of national offices across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
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Ibadan picked over Kano as symbolic olive branch
The shift in venue from Kano to Ibadan, a historically significant city in the South-West, is interpreted by analysts as a symbolic peace offering to Yoruba PDP loyalists. The decision was also seen as an early signal that southern interests would be taken seriously as the party repositions for 2027.
According to Saraki, the NEC meeting was conducted in full compliance with due process, with officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) present to observe.
“We give thanks to Almighty Allah for the progress. Today’s unity would not have been possible without the strategic guidance of the PDP Governors’ Forum,” Saraki added, commending Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi for spearheading the reconciliation drive.
Founding Fathers Back Decision to Avoid 2023 Mistake
A key PDP NEC member who spoke anonymously confirmed that the new zoning decision is rooted in lessons from the 2023 debacle when the presidential ticket was left open and ultimately handed to Atiku Abubakar, sparking resentment in the South.
“The 2023 fallout nearly shattered our coalition. This time, we are correcting course. We’ve shown our southern members that the party listens,” he stated.
The NEC member also clarified that while the ticket has been zoned to the South, national party positions will remain distributed as per the existing zoning formula to prevent friction.
Convention timeline builds toward 2027 war chest
With zoning now settled and convention plans solidifying, PDP insiders say the party has cleared one of the biggest hurdles in its roadmap to reclaim power in 2027. Fundraising, candidate consultations, and policy think tanks are expected to intensify ahead of the Ibadan event.
Observers believe the party’s early zoning resolution gives it a head-start over the APC, whose 2027 ticket remains unresolved amid swirling rumors about President Tinubu’s re-election intentions and Vice President Shettima’s positioning.
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