ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal turbulence following reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have been allegedly shortlisted as potential contenders for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The speculation has sparked heated debate within the party, with northern stakeholders warning against what they describe as “provincial politics” that could undermine party unity.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, had reportedly hinted that the PDP was considering the trio as possible flagbearers, following the party’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South.
Confirming ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations, PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, told Vanguard that discussions were still at the level of consultations and speculations.
“Those names (Jonathan, Obi, Makinde) are still speculations. Right now, what is involved in the party is all about negotiations and discussions to find out who will be the credible or the best candidate,” Osuoha said.
He stressed that the upcoming national convention would be the first major step in preparing for 2027, after which attention would shift to streamlining aspirants ahead of the primaries.
“The presidency has been zoned to the South, so whoever will contest must come from the South-West, South-East, or South-South,” Osuoha added, noting that party unity and regional balance would guide the final choice.
Olawepo-Hashim Group Kicks Against ‘Spoiler Tactics’
But not everyone is on board with the alleged shortlist. The North West arm of the Gbenga Hashim Vanguard cautioned against using Jonathan as a “spoiler” to manipulate the process.
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Aminu Bala Wudilawa, the group insisted that only elected delegates had the constitutional mandate to determine the PDP’s candidate.
“The PDP cannot afford to repeat the mistake of 2015 when President Jonathan was misled into a provincialist approach that weakened the party and cost us power. Any attempt to reduce the process to ethnic politics will be resisted,” Wudilawa said.
He warned that zoning the ticket exclusively to the South could be seen as a deliberate plot to edge out competent Northern aspirants, including Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, whom he described as “one of the cleanest hands in Nigerian politics.”
The group reaffirmed its support for Olawepo-Hashim’s presidential ambition, describing him as the forward-looking leader Nigerians need.
“No spoiler tactic will be allowed to shut the door against his aspiration,” Wudilawa declared.
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