The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal tensions following reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde have been shortlisted as possible contenders for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The speculation has stirred debate within the party, with some aspirants from the North warning against what they describe as a plot to use Jonathan as a “spoiler” ahead of the primaries.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro reportedly hinted that Jonathan, Obi, and Makinde were among Southern aspirants being considered after the party zoned its presidential ticket to the South. Party insiders also confirmed that moves were ongoing to woo Jonathan and Obi—who defected from the PDP in 2022—back into the fold.
PDP: Shortlists Remain Speculative
Speaking to Vanguard, PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha downplayed the reports, stressing that discussions were still at the negotiation stage.
“Those names you mentioned are still speculations. Right now, it’s all about internal talks to identify who the best candidate will be,” Osuoha explained.
He said the immediate priority was the forthcoming national convention, where new officers would be elected to reposition the party. Only after that would leaders streamline the list of aspirants ahead of the primaries.
“Ultimately, zoning remains the key factor. Since the ticket has been zoned to the South, aspirants must come from the South-West, South-East, or South-South. The party will conduct a transparent primary to uphold its democratic values,” Osuoha added.
Northern Concerns: “Don’t Edge Us Out”
Meanwhile, supporters of former presidential aspirant Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim cautioned against what they termed a deliberate attempt to sideline the North.
In a statement signed by its North-West Coordinator, Aminu Bala Wudilawa, the Gbenga Hashim Vanguard condemned Moro’s alleged shortlist, warning that such moves could “provoke division and repeat the mistakes of 2015.”
“The PDP is not sectional; it belongs to all Nigerians. Any attempt to reduce the process to ethnic politics will be resisted. Only duly elected delegates, in line with the Electoral Act, can decide the presidential candidate,” Wudilawa said.
While acknowledging Jonathan’s constitutional right to contest, Wudilawa argued that narrowing the ticket to the South was a strategy to exclude credible Northern aspirants like Hashim.
He described Hashim as “a democrat, entrepreneur, and one of the cleanest hands in Nigerian politics,” insisting that he represents the forward-looking leadership Nigerians need.
“Insha Allah, that leader is Dr. Gbenga Hashim. No spoiler tactic will be allowed to shut the door against his aspiration,” Wudilawa declared.