Wike warns PDP against zoning 2027 ticket to north

By Kunle Sanni

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to the north, warning that it would repeat the strategic errors that led to the party’s 2023 defeat.

Speaking during a televised media chat on Monday, Wike said the PDP must take a clear stance and zone the presidential ticket to the south ahead of the next election cycle.

“Why not, as a party, come out openly and say our presidential candidate will come from the south?” Wike asked. “You don’t want to do that. You want to play the same game you played in 2023. It will backfire.”

He described attempts to keep the zoning arrangement ambiguous as “smartness” that would ultimately hurt the party, insisting that only fairness and strategic clarity can secure the PDP’s future.

“You can’t send the presidency to the north. I told them. Selfishness can kill a system,” he added.

Wike argued that if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) retains power in 2027, the natural expectation would be for its 2031 ticket to be zoned to the north. He warned that the PDP might feel pressured to also choose a northern candidate, repeating a cycle that has weakened internal unity and voter trust.

Wike’s comments appear aimed at figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who has been a recurring PDP presidential candidate.

In May 2024, Atiku declared his intention to keep contesting for the presidency “as long as [he is] hale and hearty.”