After a series of closed-door meetings involving key organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party has resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
In the same development, Ambassador Umar Damagum has been confirmed as the substantive National Chairman of the party.
This was disclosed in a communiqué read by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Debo Ologunagba, following Monday’s meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
He said: ‘NEC received and, after extensive deliberation, approved the report of the National Convention Zoning Committee, which recommended as follows.
‘That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Northern region of the country remain in the Northern region.
‘That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Southern region of the country remain in the Southern region.
‘That having retained the position of the National Chairman in the Northern region of the country, the presidential candidate of the Party for the 2027 General Election is hereby zoned to the Southern region.
‘That the regions should immediately micro-zone positions within its region for implementation.
Giving immediate effect to the implications of the decisions, Damagum was sworn in by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade as substantive National Chairman.
At the end of PDP’s 102nd NEC meeting, they further resolved as follows:
‘NEC expressed satisfaction over the level of preparedness of the party at its various organs, chapters and structures for the 2025 Elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 November 2025.
‘NEC acknowledged with satisfaction the efforts and commitment of PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Assembly Caucus and other relevant bodies of the Party towards the success of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
‘NEC also received update from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and directed the Committee to circulate the Draft Constitution Amendment to various Organs and Chapters of the Party for further inputs.
“’ recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum in stabilising the Party, NEC hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the Party with effect from today, Monday, 25th August, 2025 until the National Convention holding at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on 15th to 16th November, 2025′ the party said.
Alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has an agenda to ‘to turn our country into a totalitarian one-party state’, the PDP NEC gave a r3reassurance that the party will work harder towards repositioning itself, to regain power in 2027 while its next (103rd) meeting is to hold on Wednesday, 15 October 2025
During the PDP NEC meeting at Wadata Plaza on Monday, about 1,000 supporters of a party chieftain, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, stormed the venue, with placards expressing their demand that he declares interest in the 2027 presidential election.
The jubilant crowd, clad in colorful vests and face caps, carried bold banners and sang solidarity songs in support of the business mogul and politician, describing him as “a credible alternative and a unifier the nation urgently needs at this critical time.”
The rally was coordinated by three major support groups: Hashim Unity Group, led by Hon. Musa Makanda, former Speaker of Bwari Area Council; The Hashims, led by Mr. Sunday Tsado; and Hashim Advocates, led by Mallam Abba, former PDP youth leader in the FCT in 1999.
At the gathering, the group leaders said that Olawepo-Hashim embodies the finest qualities of leadership within the PDP vision, integrity, and a consistent track record of advocacy for democracy and good governance.
They urged the party leadership to emulate his political conduct and prepare him as the PDP flagbearer ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a related development, PDP youth leaders from the 36 states of Nigeria had, in the past week, formally welcomed Olawepo-Hashim to the party.
The youths also called on other party leaders to emulate him in his support for the youths of the party as the PDP prepares for 2027.
