The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be courting fresh internal divisions ahead of the 2027 elections, as former presidential candidate and party chieftain Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has warned that zoning its presidential ticket to the south could fracture the party, alienate northern members, and strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s re-election chances.
On Monday, the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) voted to allocate the 2027 ticket to the south, saying the move reflected its commitment to democracy, equity and inclusiveness. The party pledged to defend the interests of all Nigerians as it works to return to power after nearly a decade in opposition.
But Olawepo-Hashim, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, called the arrangement “a big error” with far-reaching consequences. “What the decision means is that if you are a northerner, you should find another party,” he said. “Past PDP leaders would never shut the door against any region because they understood the implications for national unity. NEC has made a big error.”
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He warned that the zoning rule could trigger legal battles, since Nigeria’s constitution does not permit discrimination against party members seeking office on the basis of ethnicity or region. “Any member excluded by this zoning arrangement could challenge it in court. If that happens, the PDP’s candidate might be disqualified altogether,” he said.
Zoning disputes are not new to the PDP. In 2022, the decision to keep its presidential ticket open rather than rotate it to the south created deep divisions that weakened its 2023 campaign. Analysts caution that the latest move could reopen those fault lines instead of healing them.
Beyond the internal wrangling, Olawepo-Hashim argued that zoning the ticket southward amounts to an “indirect campaign” for Tinubu’s re-election. “To zone the presidency to the south is a default campaign for the return of President Asiwaju,” he said. “By forcing the PDP to the south, they are ensuring the party will not have a viable candidate.”
His comments reflect wider fears that excluding northern contenders — including influential figures like Atiku Abubakar — could trigger defections and weaken the PDP’s electoral strength. With Nigeria’s political landscape increasingly fragmented, as seen in the rise of Peter Obi’s Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s NNPP in 2023, a split opposition could further tilt the field in the APC’s favour.
For decades, the PDP has informally rotated top offices, including the presidency, between north and south to promote inclusiveness. Supporters of zoning say it prevents regional dominance, while critics argue it is often bent for political convenience — as in 2011, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan contested despite expectations of a northern candidate.
Olawepo-Hashim insisted the PDP still has time to reverse course. “It was a democratic decision, but it was the wrong decision,” he said. “The party must not shut the door against any region if it truly wants to unite Nigerians and regain power.”
Whether the NEC will heed such warnings remains unclear. With Tinubu already positioning for a second term and opposition parties vying for relevance, the zoning debate could prove decisive in shaping the 2027 contest.
