“Zoning As Strategy: PDP’s Bold Move To Reclaim Power In 2027”

Zoning PDP’s 2027 Presidential Ticket to the South: A Bold Step or a Political Masterstroke?

Some politicians and pundits in Nigeria never fail to amuse. Take, for instance, the noisy criticisms trailing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s recent decision—ratified by its National Executive Committee (NEC)—to zone the 2027 presidency to the South. The outrage, particularly from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is as baffling as it is unnecessary.

According to iReporter Online, the ADC described PDP’s move as “hasty” and insensitive to the plight of the masses. Even some PDP insiders have joined the chorus of dissent, arguing—somewhat unconvincingly—that the decision violates the Nigerian constitution.

But one must ask: why should the ADC, a patchwork of political outliers with divergent agendas, care so deeply about the internal decision of another party? It’s as if they’re taking Paracetamol for PDP’s headache, as Nigerians would say. In a political landscape where parties rarely lose sleep over their rivals, this sudden outpouring of concern seems oddly strategic—perhaps even desperate.

The truth? The PDP’s zoning decision has rattled the opposition.

According to iReporter Online, it’s a sign that the party, written off not too long ago, is regaining its political momentum. With nine states under its control and a growing perception of revival, the PDP’s move has exposed cracks in the opposition’s confidence, especially within the ranks of the ADC.

There’s also the looming prospect of high-profile defections. Just as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar returned to the PDP in 2018 after initially abandoning ship, history might repeat itself. With Atiku declaring his intention to contest again, it is widely speculated that many key players in the ADC may find their way back to the PDP—unless they’re eyeing running mate slots.

What’s more, there is an undercurrent of fear among PDP’s rivals that the zoning decision may clear the path for former President Goodluck Jonathan to return.

According to iReporter Online, this possibility unsettles many. Years after being pushed out, Jonathan is increasingly seen in a favourable light—his administration now viewed by some Nigerians as a time of relative stability and economic sanity. With the cost of a bag of rice jumping from ₦11,000 in 2015 to over ₦80,000 today, the nostalgia is real. And if Jonathan does contest, he will only be eligible for one term—a fact that could make his candidacy even more appealing to a nation yearning for calm and experience.

Even if Jonathan opts out, the PDP still boasts a rich talent pool—Governor Seyi Makinde, for example, and Peter Obi, a man arguably still on sabbatical from the PDP.

The zoning decision deserves commendation—not condemnation. It could help institutionalise power rotation, promoting balance and national cohesion. By narrowing the field of presidential hopefuls, it reduces internal friction and financial waste while fostering predictability in party politics.

PDP leaders such as Governor Bala Mohammed, Senator Bukola Saraki, Hon. Tanimu Turaki, and Prof. Jerry Gana have shown uncommon statesmanship by stepping aside for the greater good. Their restraint, despite personal ambition, is a powerful message in a political environment dominated by self-interest.

Critics who call zoning “discriminatory” would do well to reflect on Nigeria’s numerous affirmative action policies—like the federal character principle and quota system—that often override merit in favour of inclusion. Where was this righteous indignation when high-scoring candidates were denied university admission in favour of less qualified ones from other zones? Clearly, some are afflicted with selective amnesia.

In the end, the PDP’s zoning policy is not just a strategic political move—it is an effort to reset the foundation of Nigeria’s fragile democracy. If successful, it could be a political engineering masterstroke that other parties might be forced to emulate.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”