2027: Jonathan, Makinde and Others May Join PDP Race as Party Prepares to Announce Zoning Formula
On August 25, 2025, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the major opposition party, is scheduled to announce the zoning formula it would use for the general election in 2027.
The PDP’s schedule of events stated that, barring any unanticipated events, the zoning committee, which is headed by Senator Duoye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa State, is scheduled to meet this week in Abuja to discuss the task.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that the paper, which was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar M. Bature, stated that the events will take place between August 24 and December 2025.
“The party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice, and fairness,” according to the party’s constitution’s Section 7(2)(c), which enshrines the zoning principles.
Copies of the program, which details the events leading up to the national convention in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, from November 15 to 16, have been distributed to important PDP stakeholders.
On August 24, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP National Caucus will hold separate meetings to begin the main events.
The 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party is set for August 25. The NWC will specifically discuss topics for the agenda.
According to the document, the meeting’s main objective is to evaluate and approve the zoning committee’s decision, which is led by Diri.
The conducting of party primaries to select candidates for elections and congresses at the ward, local, state, and zonal levels to form executives under the supervision of the PDP’s state and national executive committees are among the other key activities highlighted by the documents.
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The Nigerian Tribune has learned that the zoning committee would meet in Abuja on Thursday, August 14, to draft the zoning formula that will be submitted to the NEC for approval.
The governors of Oyo and Bauchi states, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, respectively, have been tipped to enter the race, and there are growing rumors that former President Goodluck Jonathan may return to the race. There are also reports that the zoning formula will be revealed soon.
The Nigerian Tribune was informed by former national vice chairman Eddy Olufeso that the PDP was making a concerted effort to reclaim its leading position in the country’s political arena.
“We are getting ready well,” he remarked. We are putting a lot of effort into identifying the problems the nation has and making sure that we provide remedies in order to save it from impending disaster. Because we are resolute and have the advantage of being the underdog, we will have ample time to consider these issues and improve our collaboration with the Nigerian people.
Because our celebration has historical roots, we always know where to go and when to go. We are really dedicated.
In response to the question of whether the PDP should select a candidate from the North or the South for president, Olafeso stated: “If the presidency is from the South, the national chairman will definitely not come from the South.”
He stated that Umar Ilya Damagum, the interim national chairman, “has the right to contest” if he wants to run for substantive chairmanship. The world, however, has the final say. Instead of being a one-man show, the PDP is the party of the people.
