As preparations intensify for its upcoming national convention in Ibadan this November, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leaning toward selecting new party leaders through consensus rather than open contests, a move aimed at preventing internal conflict.
This approach, sources say, is in response to the divisions caused by the 2022 presidential primaries, which contributed to the party’s poor performance in the 2023 general elections, including the defection of two governors and several top figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In recent months, even former vice president Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark have left the PDP for the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).
The PDP is also considering reintegrating Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and his loyalists, following tensions between his camp and the party hierarchy.
Party sources indicate that negotiations are ongoing, with some of Wike’s demands receiving attention including zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Wike is also pushing for formal recognition of Chief Dan Orbih as PDP’s South-South Zonal Chairman, and the removal of Chief Ali Odefa as South-East Vice Chairman.
He warned that failing to address these issues could trigger further internal crises.
“If they want another round of crisis, so be it,” Wike said in a recent interview. “I will fight impunity until it is corrected.”
He alleged that party officials undermined a valid congress that elected Orbih, and that a court ruling had invalidated Odefa’s membership in the party, rendering his position illegitimate.
PDP leaders including acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and PDP Governors’ Forum Chair Bala Mohammed have confirmed that zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South is part of a broader strategy to reposition the party.
The zoning committee, led by Governor Douye Diri, has recommended that the party chairmanship be retained in the North.
Consultations are now underway to micro-zone the presidential ticket to one of the three southern regions: Southeast, South-South, or Southwest.
Though no one has formally declared a presidential bid, names like former President Goodluck Jonathan and 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi have been floated as potential contenders.
Both have yet to respond to these suggestions.
In a bid to inject new energy, the PDP is reportedly considering a younger national chairman.
Talks are ongoing about selecting someone who bridges the North-South divide, with experience and party loyalty.
One leading candidate is Hon. Teejay Yusuf, a three-term federal lawmaker from Kogi State. Known for his fluency in both Hausa and Yoruba and his unwavering loyalty to the PDP since 1998, Yusuf is seen as a unifying figure.
“We are focused on rebuilding the party and achieving consensus. It’s not about personal ambition,” Yusuf told The Nation, emphasizing that internal consultations were ongoing.
Former Governor Ahmed Makarfi, who previously served as PDP’s national chairman, is being considered for another senior role, possibly continuing as Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees.
