PDP Southern leaders reject Lagos zoning conference

The plans by a section of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to micro-zone its presidential ticket to a particular zone in the south without broader consultations has raised eye brow among critical members of the party.

A meeting was convened Thursday in Lagos at the Legend Hotel, Ikeja, tagged the “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit”, to discuss the proposal for zoning, with the aim of micro-zoning the ticket to either of the three zones.

But a league of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts from Southern Nigeria has publicly disowned and condemned the zoning consultation meeting declaring any decisions from it “null and void.”

And in a strongly-worded statement signed by a plethora of prominent leaders of the party, including the PDP State Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States, the National Vice Chairman (South-East), the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. O.K. Chinda condemned the convocation.

The statement attracting endorsements from Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, and others, titled “Re: Purported Meeting of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,” criticized in a press release the convening of the meeting without the participation of various State Chairmen, the elected National Secretary, and key national officers.

It also called attention to the exclusion of numerous former governors who have historically played vital roles in decisions concerning the direction of the PDP.

“It is highly regrettable and indeed deeply disturbing that such a meeting was convened without the courtesy of inviting several State Chairmen from the South East and South South, as well as the duly elected National Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser of our great party,” the statement reported.

The leaders highlighted their concerns over decisions being made in an environment lacking transparency, with particular focus on the implications of zoning and political equity for the party’s future.

The press release clarified the party’s foundational principles of inclusivity, equity, and collective responsibility, arguing that current exclusionary tactics jeopardize party unity and integrity.

“Such a brazen disregard for established structures and statutory organs of the PDP not only offends the spirit of collective decision-making but also risks undermining the very foundation upon which our party was built,” they stated.

Another statement released by the state Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers—Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Venatius Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka—alongside National Vice Chairman (South-East) Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck and Chinda, said the meeting’s outcomes should not be recognized.

The statement read, “The PDP has always stood for inclusivity, fairness, consultation, and collective decision-making. Any meeting that ignores key leaders and elected officials breaks trust, causes division, and threatens party unity. We therefore, reject any outcomes from this summit as neither binding nor representative of the PDP in Southern Nigeria.

“The Southeast and SouthSouth, together with the South West, stand united in promoting fairness, justice, and equity. As custodians of our members’ mandate, we will defend the integrity of the party and ensure that any decisions affecting Southern Nigeria are made openly, consultatively, and inclusively.

Already, there have been calls on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race.