As political momentum builds towards the 2027 general elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is recalibrating its strategy following the official exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. With the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Thursday, 24 July, focus has shifted towards zoning, consensus-building, and the emergence of fresh contenders for the presidential ticket.
Insider sources within the PDP confirm that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed are currently being touted as the party’s leading aspirants. “We know that the likes of Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State are aspiring to run on the party’s ticket for the 2027 election,” a senior party official disclosed. “The exit of Atiku Abubakar is going to bring calm to the party. His ambition has always posed a challenge to others and to internal party cohesion.”
Atiku’s departure follows years of internal wrangling and factional divisions that, many argue, hindered the PDP’s unity during the 2019 and 2023 elections.
In a resignation letter made public earlier this month, the former vice president lamented that the party had “diverged from the foundational principles we stood for,” describing his decision to resign as “heartbreaking.”
The PDP, however, sees this as an opportunity for internal restructuring and the emergence of a new generation of leadership. “Now that he has left to pursue his ambition elsewhere, the party can sit together, resolve some of its issues, and allow a new crop of leaders to emerge,” another source noted.
While the NEC meeting will primarily focus on deliberating the feasibility of holding the party’s national elective convention in August, zoning remains a key item on the agenda. Prominent stakeholders such as Chief Bode George and Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, are strongly advocating for the presidential ticket to be zoned to the South.
“We are going for a meeting this week a make or break meeting if you like,” Chief George stated. “There are quite some respectable, responsible people with good character, tested and proven. But it is too early to start throwing names up. If you do that now, you are looking for trouble.”
Others argue that the ticket should be thrown open to all qualified Nigerians to encourage transparency and competitiveness.
“Zoning is not a constitutional matter. The party should throw its ticket open for 2027,” a high-ranking NEC member asserted. “This will give room for more competent candidates to emerge.”
Meanwhile, a youth political movement known as the Bala Mohammed Vanguard has been actively drumming up support for the Bauchi State Governor. According to its Director of Media and Publicity, Mudaddasir Musa, “Governor Bala Mohammed will aspire for the Presidency. We are strongly behind him, following his track records as FCT Minister and Bauchi State Governor.”
Speculation also continues to swirl around other potential aspirants. Names such as former Akwa Ibom Governor Emmanuel Udom and former President Goodluck Jonathan are still being whispered in the corridors of power.
“We have people like Emmanuel Udom and Seyi Makinde who have transformed their states remarkably,” Osadolor observed. “As the days go by, more credible names will emerge. PDP is not going to run out of options.”
Responding to these developments, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed PDP’s chances in 2027.
“These are regional players that cannot stand the test of national politics. Regardless of which zone the PDP chooses or which candidate they settle for, defeat awaits them all,” he said.
Yet, PDP leaders remain optimistic. Former National Vice Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso, stated, “Just as the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki did not mark the end of Japan, the departure of Atiku and others will not spell the end of the PDP. We will emerge stronger.”
