A flurry of consultations and horse trading is underway in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following last week’s decision of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the south.
Some prominent members of the party are already reaching out to stakeholders to indicate their interest in the race, according to The Nation.
No fewer than six names are being speculated to be in the running. Party sources said more will join in the months ahead as the situation gets clearer.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan tops the list of those being tipped by some interests in the PDP.
Others are former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 Mr. Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.
Goodluck Jonathan
Party sources identified a northern state governor as one of the key promoters of the Jonathan for president project.
The governor had served as a minister under Jonathan and would not mind becoming the former president’s running mate. His calculation is said to be based on his belief that he himself would be in a good position to run for the presidency in 2031 if the Jonathan ticket prevails in the 2027 election.
But sources said the project may not fly on account of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prevents anyone who has been sworn in twice as president from seeking election into the same office.
The Section stipulates thus: “A person who was sworn in as President to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
Two months ago, former first lady Patience Jonathan hinted that her husband would not be in the 2027 race.
She also openly pledged her family’s support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Bukola Saraki
Party members rooting for Saraki believe that he needs to be compensated for standing by the party and not following his friends like the immediate past Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi to the ADC.
They are of the belief that he is popular, having held his ground against the Buhari government during his time as the Senate President.
They also cite his very rich friends who would not mind funding him.
But those against him wonder which part of the country he would claim to belong to: North or South?
Their argument is where will his running mate come from if he picks the ticket? They also say that he is overrated and lacks a solid base for now because his state, Kwara, is under the control of APC.
Peter Obi
Some PDP leaders are trying to lure Peter Obi back to the party in the hope that he can help save it from total collapse following the recent gale of defections by many high profile members.
His name has come up because of his surprise performance in the last general election.
A founding member of the party, Prof. Jerry Gana, said in a television interview on Wednesday that Obi has what it takes to defeat any contender in the northern states if he contests on the PDP platform.
“I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate, because our people are very fair‑minded,” Gana said.
Obi was a member of the PDP until he defected to Labour Party ahead of the 2023 elections.
He was the PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2019 election.
Obi had popped up at the recent movement of some opposition politicians to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, sparking speculation that he was on his way out of the LP.
He has since denied the speculation, saying he remains a member of the Labour Party.
Some PDP members, however, do not trust the former Anambra State governor to keep his promise to do only one term if elected.
A source said: “It is easy to make a promise. We have seen that before.
Seyi Makinde
Supporters of Governor Makinde are of the view that he stands a good chance to face President Tinubu since he is from the same South West zone as the President.
Their calculation is that he will divide votes from the zone, thus giving the party some advantage.
One source said: “In the Southwest, there is only one loyal PDP governor. His Osun counterpart has already indicated support for Tinubu in 2027.
“Discussions are on, and if the ticket is zoned to the South or micro-zoned to the Southwest, the Oyo governor will be a major contender.”
