The founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advocated for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the South.
Speaking on behalf of the group at the Consultative Conference of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders held Wednesday at the NAF Conference Hall in Kado, Abuja, under the theme “Reclaiming Our Legacy, Renewing Our Collective Vision,” former Minister of Information and National Orientation Professor Jerry Gana said allocating the presidential ticket to the South would be a strategic move to secure victory in 2027.
“In line with the patriotic vision of our founding fathers, we urge all party leaders to support the idea of selecting our 2027 presidential candidate from the southern states,” Gana said. “This approach will not only enhance our chances at the polls but also promote justice, fairness, and equity.”
He appealed to party leaders to use Thursday’s NEC meeting to approve the convening of a National Convention, where a new set of party officers would be elected for the next four years.
Gana emphasized that from a renewed foundation, the party must conduct a fair and credible process to choose its presidential candidate, someone who is not only qualified but a visionary patriot with proven integrity and the capacity to lead Nigeria forward.
He called for a transparent and accountable national convention that would serve as a benchmark for internal party democracy, rejecting impositions and urging that delegates be allowed to freely elect a new National Working Committee (NWC) composed of individuals with integrity, competence, and loyalty to the party’s ideals.
Gana concluded by stressing that the new NWC must lead efforts to rebuild, reposition, and revive the PDP, while also prioritizing the empowerment of the next generation of leaders.
