By Jamiu Yusuf
ABUJA: The National Executive Committee NEC of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern region of the country, while it ratified the appointment of Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party.
These decisions were part of key resolutions reached on Monday at the 102nd NEC meeting of the party held in Abuja, where leaders reviewed preparations for the forthcoming national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, from November 15 to 16, 2025.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, NEC expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness across the party’s organs and chapters for the convention.
It also commended the contributions of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, National Working Committee NWC, National Assembly Caucus and other stakeholders towards ensuring a successful exercise.
The committee also deliberated on the report of the zoning committee and approved the retention of all national party offices in their current regions.
It further resolved that, having retained the national chairmanship in the North, the presidential ticket for 2027 would be ceded to the South. The regions were directed to micro-zone positions among themselves ahead of the convention.
NEC also received updates from the Constitution Amendment Committee and directed that the draft amendments be circulated to party organs and chapters for further input.
On the political climate in the country, the PDP condemned what it described as the All Progressives Congress’ APC “state capture tactics” through intimidation, inducement and militarization of elections.
It particularly frowned at the heavy security deployment in recent by-elections in Kaduna, Taraba and Zamfara States, warning that such practices threatened Nigeria’s democracy and risked steering the nation toward a one-party state.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to defending democracy and the wellbeing of Nigerians while working to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NEC fixed its next meeting (103rd) for October 15, 2025.
