The Peoples Democratic Party says it has zoned its party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections to Southern Nigeria and the national chairman to the North.

The resolution was reached during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) 102nd convention held at the PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

The party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this while reading the communiqué at the end of the meeting to journalists.

He said that the decision followed the recommendations of the report submitted by the Gov. Douye Diri-led national convention zoning committee.

Mr Ologunagba said that the NEC had, after extensive deliberatio,n approved the report of the committee, which recommended as follows:

“That all PDP National office positions currently in the northern part of the country remain in the north.

“That all PDP National office positions currently in the southern part of the country remain in the south.

“That having retained the position of the national chairman in the north, the presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections is hereby zoned to the southern part.

“That the zones should immediately micro-zone positions within its zones for implementation,” he said

Mr Ologunagba also disclosed that the NEC affirmed Umar Damagum as the substantive national chairman of the party, till the party holds its elective convention in November.

“In recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of the acting National Chairman, Damagum, in stabilising the party, NEC hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of Damagum as the substantive national chairman of the party.

“This takes effect from today, Monday, Aug. 25, until the national convention holding at Ibadan, Oyo, on Nov. 15 to Nov. 16,” he said.

Mr Ologunagba also said that the NEC receivedan update from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and directed the committee to circulate the draft constitution amendment to various organs and chapters of the party for further inputs.

He noted that the meeting further deliberated on the state of the party and expressed satisfaction over the level of preparedness of its various organs, chapters and structures for the 2025 elective national convention scheduled for Ibadan.

He added that the NEC acknowledged with satisfaction the efforts and commitment of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the NWC, the National Assembly Caucus and other relevant bodies of the party towards the success of the forthcoming national convention.

He, however , said that the NEC condemns the intimidation, manipulation, inducement, coercion and violence witnessed during the recent by-elections in parts of the country.

“The party, he said, condemned the militarisation of the recent by-elections, especially in Kaduna and Taraba, as well as Zamfara where excessive security agencies were deployed in the conduct of the run-off election in only five Polling Units in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency,” he said.

Mr Ologunagba reassured Nigerians of PDP’s commitment to democracy, the defence of the interests and well-being of all citizens, as the party works hard to further reposition itself to regain power in 2027.

“The NEC was adjourned and fixed its next, 103rd meeting to hold on Wednesday, Oct. 15,” he said.

(NAN)