The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decided to allocate its presidential ticket to the southern region ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking to journalists on Friday night in Abuja after inspecting the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome—set to host the party’s national convention on March 29 and 30—Wike explained that key party positions have already been distributed across regions in a bid to maintain balance.
According to him, the presidency has been assigned to the South, while the party’s national chairmanship will go to the North.
He noted that this consensus-driven arrangement is expected to simplify the convention process and reduce internal friction.
Wike emphasized that the party is presenting a united front, unlike in the past when so-called “unity lists” often exposed underlying divisions.
This time, he said, there is broad agreement across the party on its direction.
He added that preparations for the convention are almost complete, estimating readiness at about 95 percent.
Logistics such as seating for delegates and VIP arrangements have already been finalized, with attendance expected to be capped at around 2,500 delegates.
Ongoing Dispute
Despite ongoing disagreements within the party, Wike stressed that the convention will proceed as planned. He assured that efforts to reconcile dissatisfied members will continue even after the event.
He also downplayed the significance of a Supreme Court appeal filed by a group led by Tanimu Turaki, insisting that such disputes would not disrupt the convention, as internal conflict resolution remains a continuous process within the party.
Looking ahead, Wike expressed strong optimism about the PDP’s prospects in the 2027 general elections, suggesting that the party could stage an unexpected comeback.
He acknowledged that disagreements are inevitable in a large political organization but maintained that the party remains open to dialogue and compromise.
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According to him, the priority is to ensure unity and protect the broader interests of the party.