2027 PDP Presidential Ticket: Jonathan, Obi, Makinde Emerge Top Contenders as Party Zones Ticket to South

Story writen by Okafor Joseph September 1,2025

The race for the 2027 presidential election within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is taking shape after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) officially zoned its presidential ticket to the South.

The decision, announced during the 102nd NEC meeting in Abuja, also confirmed Umar Damagum as substantive national chairman. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the move as “a corrective step to restore fairness,” stressing that it was aimed at preventing a repeat of the internal divisions that plagued the party in 2023.

With zoning now settled, political discussions are centering on three key figures: former President Goodluck Jonathan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Jonathan’s possible return
Speculation about Jonathan’s comeback has intensified in recent months. Seen as a unifying figure within the PDP, he is believed to command support across both northern and southern blocs. However, his eligibility may be tested by Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which bars individuals sworn into office twice from contesting again.

Makinde’s rising influence
Governor Seyi Makinde, 57, has been touted as a strong contender, representing a younger generation of PDP leadership. Though he has not declared his ambition, political posters and growing support from loyalists suggest that his name will remain central to the 2027 race.

Obi’s potential PDP return
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who galvanized youth support in 2023, is also being mentioned as a possible aspirant. Though still linked to his third-force politics, his deep ties with the PDP have fueled speculation of a comeback under the party’s platform.

Other southern figures like former Bayelsa governor and current senator Seriake Dickson have distanced themselves from the contest, while Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is quietly gaining recognition for his governance style and reformist agenda.

Debate over zoning
While PDP leaders argue that zoning restores the party’s founding principle of balance and equity, critics insist the move undermines internal democracy. Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim dismissed the zoning arrangement as “an elite conspiracy,” stressing that competence, not regional allocation, should determine Nigeria’s next leader.

As the countdown to 2027 begins, the PDP faces a defining test. Whether it fields Jonathan as a statesman, Makinde as a generational voice, or Obi as a populist force, the party’s choice will determine not only its electoral fortunes but also its future relevance in Nigeria’s shifting political landscape.