48
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed that several aspirants are already positioning themselves for its 2027 presidential ticket, beyond the names of former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
This was disclosed on Sunday in Abuja by the PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Okechukwu Osuoha, who said the party is currently engaged in serious internal negotiations and consultations to determine its eventual presidential flagbearer.
His clarification followed earlier remarks by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who listed Jonathan, Obi, and Makinde as some of those being considered for the party’s ticket. Moro also added that more qualified contenders from the South could still emerge as consultations widen.
Osuoha, however, stressed that the names currently in circulation remain speculative. “Those names you mentioned are still speculations. Right now, what is paramount in the party is negotiations and discussions, with people trying to identify who will be the most credible candidate,” he said.
He explained that while public attention is focused on the three figures, other potential aspirants from across the South are quietly holding private talks with key stakeholders to strengthen their chances.
According to him, the party’s immediate priority is to hold its national convention where new officers will be elected to lead the PDP for the next four years. He noted that once the convention is concluded, attention will shift fully to pruning down the number of aspirants ahead of the primaries.
“It is during that period that we will narrow it down to those who are going to contest. The party will want to conduct a free and fair primary to maintain transparency and prove that when we talk about democracy, we live by it,” he stated.
On zoning, Osuoha confirmed that the PDP has resolved that the presidency will remain in the South for 2027. “Whoever will contest must come from the South-West, South-East, or South-South,” he said. He added that regional balance and party unity would guide the process, insisting that the party must avoid internal rancour and remain strong heading into the polls.
“The major point now is just to hold a national convention and make sure the party is stable without rancour or crisis,” he emphasized.
Party insiders say consultations are ongoing in various zones, with several influential politicians discreetly reaching out to delegates, governors, and power blocs. The South-East, in particular, is pushing to produce the candidate, arguing that the region has yet to lead Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999. Meanwhile, allies of Governor Makinde in the South-West are also quietly building networks in anticipation of a possible run.
Goodluck Jonathan, who was Nigeria’s President from 2010 to 2015, has not publicly declared interest, but his name continues to resurface in internal PDP discussions. Supporters of Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, are also closely watching developments, especially given Obi’s past membership of the PDP before his defection.
Political analysts believe the PDP faces a critical moment, as its choice of candidate will determine how competitive it will be against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is already being backed by some groups for a second term.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission already rolling out its Continuous Voter Registration exercise ahead of the 2027 elections, political activities across the country are intensifying. The PDP leadership has assured its members that it will remain committed to internal democracy while balancing regional interests.
For now, the party is expected to intensify negotiations in the coming weeks, with the outcome of its national convention shaping the next phase of its 2027 strategy.
