PDP faces fresh crisis as party’s southern leaders split over zoning formula

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a fresh crisis as southern leaders within the party are divided over the zoning formula for the 2027 presidential ticket. The disagreement comes ahead of the national convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The party's national convention committee, led by Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, is in charge of the convention. Southern leaders from the southeast, south-south, and southwest regions have emerged, proposing a formula to share party offices and the presidential ticket among themselves.

However, leaders from the south-south and southeast have rejected this proposal, accusing the convener of the summit in Lagos of having a hidden agenda. The dissenting bloc, including state chairmen, former lawmakers, and stakeholders, believe the plan is designed to pave the way for either a comeback bid by former president Goodluck Jonathan or a presidential run by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo.

Makinde, speaking.