PDP Leaders Split Over Wike’s Call for Southern Presidential Ticket in 2027

A fresh wave of disagreement has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a renewed push by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other stakeholders, for the party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

Naija News reports that Wike, alongside members of the G5 group and a coalition of concerned party members, convened a meeting in Abuja on Monday to press for Southern zoning and reaffirm Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s legitimate National Secretary.

However, this move has drawn mixed reactions within the PDP.

Former House of Representatives member Jones Onyereri criticized the recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, claiming it was improperly convened. Speaking to Vanguard, he said that under the PDP constitution, only the National Secretary can issue formal meeting notices, which was not done.

“The National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, did not notify members about the meeting and even wrote to confirm its cancellation,” Onyereri said. He added that stakeholders across the country had reiterated Anyanwu’s legitimacy and supported the zoning proposal in a communiqué issued after Monday’s meeting.

Backing this call, Onyereri stated, “We’ve consistently maintained that zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South is the right course, and this was emphasized in the communiqué.”

Meanwhile, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member and former Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, urged caution. Warning against airing internal issues publicly, George said:

“We do not discuss family matters in the marketplace… This is becoming too nasty. Everyone should wait for the next NEC meeting on June 30.”

Also weighing in, PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature defended the Wike-led group’s communique, saying its content aligns with the party’s values.

“What they said doesn’t contradict the party’s position. The issue of the National Secretary is clear, and ignoring legal procedure puts the party at risk,” Bature stated.

As the PDP prepares for its next NEC meeting, the party remains visibly divided, with zoning and leadership recognition threatening to further destabilize its 2027 election strategy.