The Peoples Democratic Party’s resolution to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South has sparked a complex response among northern state chapters, blending widespread acceptance with vocal opposition.
Several northern states including Jigawa, Katsina, Gombe, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Kogi have publicly endorsed the decision, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance the party’s chances in the upcoming elections. Jigawa PDP Publicity Secretary Umar Kyari stated, “Whatever will bring success to our party is what we support. The PDP is a national party beyond sectional or religious lines.” Similarly, Katsina’s Alhaji Tijjani Umar Mashasha described the zoning as “a carefully calculated political strategy” aimed at capitalising on the ruling APC’s vulnerabilities.
Gombe’s Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku reinforced party unity, acknowledging inevitable disagreements but emphasising the need to rally behind collective decisions. Kebbi’s Sani Dododo emphasised learning from past missteps, pledging support for any southern candidate capable of uniting the country.
However, dissent persists, notably in Kano, where members argue the North has been sidelined after two consecutive southern presidencies. Comrade Kabiru Sani Mai Kwanuka criticised the approach for lacking inclusive consultation, insisting, “We deserve to be heard before such resolutions are taken.” Online activist Bashir Wahada Ibrahim added, “Only a northern presidency can quickly tackle the security challenges facing our region.”
Beyond individual states, northern groups such as the North Central Renaissance Movement argue for equitable zoning within the North itself, insisting that the North Central zone—yet to produce a president or vice president in Nigeria’s democratic era—deserves the ticket. Chairperson Professor K’tso Nghargbu asserted, “Zoning is not just about North and South; fairness must extend to zones that have never been given the chance.”
A coalition of northern youth under the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations condemned the PDP’s decision as “anti-democratic, unjust, and a monumental betrayal,” warning of potential political repercussions.
Political analyst Dr Kabiru Said Sufi noted that the zoning reflects a tactical effort by the PDP to directly challenge President Tinubu’s stronghold by presenting a southern candidate, banking on discontent with the ruling government. He observed simmering competition within the South itself between South-West and South-South factions, which may test party unity ahead of the primaries.
