The political camp of former Labour Party 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 corrective step that strengthens the principle of inclusion in Nigeria’s governance.
The decision, reached during the PDP’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, retained the National Chairman in the North while zoning the presidential ticket to the South.
Speaking on the development, Obi’s former Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Katchy Ononuju, said the zoning arrangement aligns with the long-standing demand for equitable representation.
“This is not about Peter Obi as a person; it is about inclusion and governance. Obi was a tool used to demonstrate our seriousness in insisting that every region must be carried along in the governance of Nigeria,” Ononuju stated.
He commended the PDP for finding the courage to uphold zoning, while also noting that the move corrects past political missteps.
“By zoning the ticket to the South, the PDP has effectively corrected the earlier error of embracing Atiku’s protocol, which sidelined inclusion. This decision is a clear message that the days of undermining the Igbos and excluding them from leadership are over,” he added.
Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, also welcomed the zoning arrangement but emphasized that Obi’s political future remains open.
“Politics is dynamic, and it is not only the PDP reaching out to Peter Obi. Several political platforms are seeking his leadership. He will make his decision at the right time. For now, we see this zoning decision as a welcome development, and Obi is humbled by the calls,” Tanko said.
The PDP’s zoning decision is widely seen as a strategic shift aimed at strengthening its chances ahead of the 2027 general elections, while also addressing long-standing demands for balanced regional representation.
