PDP Inaugurates Zoning Committee Ahead of Convention, Warns Members on Total Loyalty

With its National Elective Convention set for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Peoples Democratic Party has taken a major step toward shaping its future by inaugurating a 44-member zoning committee. The panel, led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, has been tasked with recommending how key National Working Committee positions will be allocated—a decision that could influence not only the party’s internal structure but also determine which geopolitical zone stands the best chance of securing the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum described the zoning process as central to the party’s unity and electoral fortunes. He reminded members that disputes over zoning had repeatedly unsettled the PDP most notably in 2015, when northern members resisted then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, and again in 2023, when a bloc of five governors opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy despite the ticket being thrown open. Both elections ended in defeat to the All Progressives Congress.

Damagum warned that the PDP could not afford another divisive outcome. “From 2015 till date, disagreements over zoning whether for the presidential ticket or NWC offices have plunged our party into crisis” he said, urging the committee to work with fairness, equity, and strategic foresight. He stressed that loyalty must be paired with competence, calling politics “a game of pragmatism, not sentiment” especially in a period when economic hardship has deepened public disillusionment.

The acting chairman, who rose to the position from Deputy National Chairman (North) following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal in 2023, noted that deputies often find themselves in top roles unexpectedly and urged party members to respect every office holder. His remarks came against the backdrop of North Central leaders’ unsuccessful bid to nominate Ayu’s replacement, an episode that saw prominent members such as former Senate President David Mark, Senator Dino Melaye, and former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam leave for the African Democratic Congress.

National Organising Secretary Umar Bature explained that the zoning committee’s report will be presented to the National Executive Committee on August 25, while PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed pledged the governors’ full support, describing the party as the nation’s best hope for credible governance after “years of woes, melancholy, hunger and anger” under the APC. Committee chairman Douye Diri promised a consultative, inclusive approach, with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal serving as vice chairman and Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang as secretary.

The inauguration came a day after PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba issued a warning that the party would enforce total loyalty among members, citing provisions in its constitution. His statement was widely seen as a response to recent remarks by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who threatened fresh crises unless the party recognised the zonal congress that produced Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman (South-South) and reorganised the South-East zonal congress.

Ologunagba dismissed Wike’s position, insisting the South-South Zonal Committee’s tenure expired in March and that a caretaker committee headed by Elder Emma Ogidi was duly inaugurated. “PDP will not take conditions from anybody,” he said. “Membership is voluntary, but disloyalty will not be tolerated. This is the only political party where you can achieve your goals and aspirations in politics. Ninety per cent of those who have left had their tutelage in the PDP. We are stable, strong, and moving towards the National Convention and loyalty will be enforced.”