The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders, led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have demanded that the party zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
This call was made during a meeting in Abuja, where stakeholders also resolved to prevent the party from dying and demanded that the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, issue a notice for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The stakeholders emphasized the need to reinforce internal democracy, equity, and justice within the party. They cited the party’s constitution and the Supreme Court judgment, which affirms Senator Anyanwu as the substantive National Secretary. In a communique read by Wike, the stakeholders declared, “We must make an unequivocal pronouncement zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 elections.”
Wike stressed the importance of respecting the party’s constitution and the country’s laws. “Let us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party,” he said, highlighting the need for party members to prioritize the party’s survival over personal interests.
The meeting, which included governors, lawmakers, and party executives, lamented the party’s crisis and attributed it to the refusal of some individuals to adhere to the party’s constitution. Dr. Samuel Ortom, a member of the G5 governors, noted that “he who pays the piper dictates the tune” and challenged anyone to tell Nigerians who has contributed more to the growth of PDP than Wike.
The stakeholders resolved to support the efforts of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Senator Bukola Saraki and urged party members to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional mandate. They also demanded that the party’s National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, issue notices for meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, National Caucus, and the National Working Committee.
The communique further stated that “only the National Convention, properly and duly constituted, can remove Senator Sam Anyanwu, the National Secretary, arising from his status as a member of the National Executive Committee of the Party.” The stakeholders emphasized that any notices or actions not issued by Senator Anyanwu would be null and void.
The meeting highlighted the growing concerns within the PDP about the party’s direction and the need for urgent action to address its internal challenges. The stakeholders’ demands reflect a broader effort to revitalize the party and ensure its survival in the face of increasing political competition.
As the PDP navigates these challenges, the call for zoning the presidential ticket to the South is likely to generate significant debate within the party. The stakeholders’ insistence on adhering to the party’s constitution and respecting the Supreme Court judgment underscores the importance of internal democracy and rule of law in the party’s operations.
The outcome of these developments remains to be seen, but the stakeholders’ determination to save the party from further decline is clear. As one stakeholder noted, the party’s survival depends on its ability to adapt and respond to the needs of its members and the broader Nigerian society.
