2027: Will PDP Convention hold without Wike’s approval? Fresh details emerge

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has determined to allocate its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern region, addressing one of the underlying issues that precipitated the internal strife within the party.

This resolution was finalized during the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, convened in Abuja on Monday.

The decision followed the approval of the report presented by the Zoning Committee, which is chaired by Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State. Following the meeting, Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, informed journalists that the NEC also sanctioned the continuation of the existing zoning framework for the National Working Committee (NWC) in anticipation of the upcoming elective convention scheduled for November.

According to Ologunagba, the NEC expressed contentment with the preparations for the convention, asserting that the zoning decision aligns with the party’s established principles regarding power rotation.

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has emphasised that the PDP must acknowledge the results of the South-South zonal congress conducted in Calabar; failure to do so may lead to further internal discord.

During his recent monthly media interaction in Abuja, Wike affirmed the validity of the congress, which re-elected Dan Orbih as the PDP National Vice Chairman for the South-South region. He stated, “The Calabar congress must be upheld. There is no other alternative,” cautioning that ignoring this outcome could hinder preparations for the national convention set for November.

Wike also dismissed speculation regarding his potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his current role in President Tinubu’s cabinet, affirming, “I will not abandon the PDP, a party for which I have worked diligently, to align with those I consider unprincipled.”

The PDP has previously released its timetable for the convention, with the sale of nomination forms commencing on September 3, and the main convention taking place from November 15 to November 16.

The pressing inquiry remains whether the FCT Minister will endorse the party convention in Ibadan following significant intra-party resolutions. Additionally, questions persist regarding his participation in the convention and his prospective presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.