The forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention, scheduled for 15–16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State, is under threat following a deepening rift among party leaders over the zoning of party offices and the 2027 presidential ticket.
A 110-member National Convention Committee, chaired by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, has already been inaugurated by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. However, disagreements over zoning remain unresolved.
At the Southern Zoning Consultative Summit held in Lagos, Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Douye Diri of Bayelsa led Southern leaders to propose micro-zoning of both party offices and the presidential ticket among the Southwest, Southeast and South-South.
But the move has met stiff resistance. A bloc of leaders from the South-South and Southeast comprising state chairmen, lawmakers and party elders has rejected the plan, alleging it is a ploy to pave the way for either a return of former President Goodluck Jonathan or a potential presidential bid by Makinde.
