The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed that a growing number of aspirants are quietly positioning themselves for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, expanding the list beyond well-known figures like former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Okechukwu Osuoha, told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that the party is currently deep in internal negotiations and consultations aimed at identifying its most viable flagbearer for the upcoming election.
His remarks followed comments by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who had named Jonathan, Obi, and Makinde as frontrunners while acknowledging that additional qualified candidates from the South could still enter the race as discussions progress.
“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,” Osuoha said.
He highlighted that although public focus remains on the trio, several other hopefuls from the southern region are already holding private talks with key stakeholders to boost their chances.
The party’s immediate focus, Osuoha noted, is to conduct a national convention to elect new officers responsible for leading the PDP through the next four years. Following this, attention will turn to narrowing down the list of presidential hopefuls 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 explained.
Osuoha further clarified that the PDP’s zoning policy will influence the choice of candidate, with the presidency zoned to the South.
“Whoever will contest must come from the South-West, South-East, or South-South,” he said, emphasizing that regional balance and party unity will be critical considerations.
He underscored that ensuring party stability ahead of the 2027 elections remains the top priority: “The major point now is just to hold a national convention and make sure the party is stable without rancour or crisis.”
In the weeks ahead, the PDP is expected to ramp up internal consultations, with the outcome set to shape its electoral strategy for the 2027 general elections.