PDP’s 2027 Presidential Ticket Zoning to South Sparks Northern Backlash, Political Tensions

On Monday, August 25, 2025, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, announced during its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, ignited controversy, particularly among northern stakeholders, as reported by Vanguard and The Sun. With President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, backed by key All Progressives Congress (APC) blocs for re-election, the move effectively sidelines northern aspirants in both major parties, aligning with the unwritten eight-year North-South power rotation principle (Web:0, Web:9). Northern groups, including the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACON) and North-Central stakeholders, condemned the PDP’s decision as marginalizing, warning of electoral repercussions in 2027 (Web:8, Web:15).

JACON, led by Ambassador Sani Yaya, argued that the North, despite being the PDP’s electoral backbone, held the presidency for only 2.5 years during the party’s 16-year rule, compared to 13.5 years for the South, labeling the zoning as a “deliberate sidelining” (Web:3). The North-Central Renaissance Movement, chaired by Professor K’tso Nghargbu, rejected both PDP and APC zoning, demanding a North-Central candidate to address the region’s lack of civilian presidency since 1960 (Web:15). The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement called the PDP’s decision unconstitutional, citing Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution, and warned of legal risks (Web:3). Arewa Youth Assembly’s Salihu Danlami criticized the PDP for abandoning rotation in 2023, driving northern support to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) (Web:3).

In contrast, PDP leaders like former Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George and Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor defended the zoning as a unifying step, with George dismissing northern opposition as “selfish” and Osadolor praising northern sacrifice for party unity (Web:9, Web:10). PDP State Chairmen Forum Chairman Austin Nwachukwu declared the decision binding (Web:10). The ADC criticized both parties for prioritizing zoning over Nigerians’ plights, alleging PDP’s move aims to lure figures like Peter Obi and Goodluck Jonathan (Web:15). Obi, the 2023 Labour Party candidate, faces pressure to return to PDP but remains undecided, per associate Dr. Katch Ononuju (Web:15). X posts from @ArewaVoice (August 26, 2025) urged northern mobilization against PDP, while @PDPNigeria (August 25, 2025) hailed the zoning as equitable, citing 68% southern PDP support (NOI Polls, 2025). The debate foreshadows a contentious 2027 race (Post:3).