PDP Launches 44-Member Zoning Committee, Calls For Wike’s Full Commitment.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has established a 44-member zoning committee to shape its strategy for the upcoming national convention on 15-16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State, as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. The committee, inaugurated on 14 August 2025 at the party’s Abuja headquarters, is tasked with allocating key national offices across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and advising on the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket.
Chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal as vice-chairman and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang as secretary, the committee includes prominent figures such as former governors Ibrahim Dankwambo and Ibrahim Shekarau. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, during the inauguration, urged the panel to prioritise fairness, equity, and strategic thinking to strengthen party unity and position it for electoral success. “This committee is the engine room for laying the political foundation of our leadership for the next four years,” Damagum said, emphasising the need for leaders of integrity and capacity.
The PDP also addressed internal challenges, with Damagum indirectly referencing the party’s demand for loyalty from members, notably former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Wike, who supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 presidential election after losing the PDP primary to Atiku Abubakar, has been a point of contention. The party leadership stressed that unity and loyalty are critical, warning that disloyalty could face sanctions to restore public confidence.
The committee’s formation follows the PDP’s constitutional commitment to rotating key positions between the north and south. If the chairmanship is zoned to the north, the presidential ticket is expected to go to the south, and vice versa, a practice aimed at ensuring equity. The 2022 decision to open the presidential ticket to all regions led to internal rifts, which the party now seeks to mend.
Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed praised the committee’s composition, expressing confidence in its ability to deliver a fair zoning formula. Governor Diri, in his remarks, pledged a consultative approach to unite the party and inspire Nigerians ahead of 2027. The PDP’s efforts signal a renewed focus on rebuilding its structure and regaining political ground after recent setbacks.