ABUJA — The camp of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, describing the move as a victory for inclusion and a step towards correcting past political mistakes.
The decision was taken during the PDP’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja. According to the communiqué issued, all national party positions will remain in their current zones, with the chairmanship staying in the North while the presidency is zoned to the South.
Former Special Adviser to Obi on Public Affairs, Katchy Ononuju, hailed the decision, noting that Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign played a pivotal role in pushing for inclusivity in Nigeria’s governance.
“This is not about Peter Obi, it’s about inclusion and governance,” Ononuju said. “Peter Obi was a tool we used to assert our seriousness that everybody should be included in the governance of Nigeria. I thank the PDP for finding the courage to do what they have done today.”
Ononuju further argued that the zoning decision corrected efforts by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to sideline the Southeast.
“PDP has now admitted that Atiku was wrong. Atiku may not be acting alone, but he represented a protocol that undermined Igbos in governance. With this action, PDP has started the process of healing,” he added.
Meanwhile, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, welcomed the zoning arrangement but said Obi would decide his next political move at the appropriate time.
“Politics is dynamic. It’s not only PDP that is seeking Peter Obi; other parties are also reaching out to him. The zoning is a welcome development, but Obi will make his decision at the right time,” Tanko said.
The development comes amid growing speculations about opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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