Jonathan, Makinde Could Enter 2027 PDP Race as Party Plans Zoning Formula Announcement

Everything is now ready for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party, to announce on August 25, 2025, the zoning formula it would use for the general election in 2027.
The zoning committee, which is headed by Senator Duoye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa State, is scheduled to meet this week in Abuja to discuss the assignment, barring any unanticipated events, according to the PDP’s calendar of events.

As reported by The Nigerian Tribune, the letter, which was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Honourable Umar M. Bature, stated that the events will take place between August 24 and December.
According to Section 7(2)(c) of the party’s constitution, the zoning principles are as follows: “The party shall follow the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice, and fairness.”

The PDP’s major stakeholders have received copies of the program detailing the events leading up to the national convention in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, which is scheduled for November 15–16.

Separate sessions of the PDP’s National Caucus and National Working Committee (NWC) will kick off the main events on August 24.

The NWC will specifically discuss matters for the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which is set for August 25.

The meeting will be centered on reviewing and adopting the Diri-led zoning committee’s resolution, according to the document.

Additional key tasks highlighted in the documents include holding party primaries to select candidates for elections and holding congresses at the ward, local, state, and zonal levels to form executives who will be overseen by the PDP’s state and national executive committees.

Members of the zoning committee will meet in Abuja on Thursday, August 14, according to sources who spoke to The Nigerian Tribune, to suggest a zoning formula that will be submitted to the NEC for approval.

The governors of Oyo and Bauchi states, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, respectively, have been tipped to enter the race, and there are some rumors that the zoning formula will be revealed in the midst of growing speculation about the potential return of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, former national vice chairman Eddy Olufeso stated that the PDP was making every effort to reclaim its top spot in the country’s political hierarchy.

“We are in good preparation,” he remarked. We are making every effort to pull the nation out of its current predicament by clearly identifying its problems and making sure that we provide answers. We are resolute, and because we are the underdog, we will have a lot of time to consider these issues and improve our collaboration with the Nigerian people.

Because our party has a strong historical foundation, we always know where to go and when. Our commitment is really strong.

When asked if the PDP should choose a candidate from the North or the South for president, Olafeso responded, “If the presidency comes from the South, definitely the national chairman will not come from the South.”

Regarding whether Umar Ilya Damagum, the interim national chairman, ought to run for substantive chairmanship, he stated: “He has the right to contest.” But the world has the last say. The PDP is a party of the people, not just one person.