The camp of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has welcomed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, describing it as a victory for inclusion in Nigeria’s governance.

The PDP, during its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at its National Secretariat in Abuja, announced that the presidency would be zoned to the South, while the position of National Chairman remains in the North. The decision followed the submission of a report by the Zoning Committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

In a communiqué, the party emphasized that existing zoning arrangements for national offices would be retained, while the presidential ticket for 2027 would be contested solely by southern aspirants.

“Obi was a tool for inclusion” — Ononuju

Reacting to the development, Obi’s former Special Adviser on Public Affairs during the 2023 presidential election, Katchy Ononuju, said the move validated their fight for fairness and inclusion in governance.

“This is not an issue of Peter Obi, it’s about inclusion and governance. Peter Obi was a tool we used to achieve our aim of asserting that everybody should be included in the governance of Nigeria,” Ononuju said.

He added that the PDP’s zoning decision corrected what he described as past attempts by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to undermine the political inclusion of Igbos.
“With today’s action, PDP is telling Atiku that he is wrong,” he said.

“PDP zoning is a welcome development” — Tanko

Also speaking, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, described the zoning arrangement as a positive step.

“Politics is dynamic and I can tell you that it’s not only PDP that is seeking the hands of Mr Peter Obi. Other political platforms are also reaching out. Peter Obi will make his decision at the right time,” Tanko told DAILY POST.

He added that Obi remained humbled by the growing calls for him to return to mainstream politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.