The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South. He said this will reflect the party’s commitment to fairness, equity, and the constitution.
Wike made the statement during a meeting of prominent PDP stakeholders in Abuja on Sunday, June 9, 2025. Those in attendance included former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Samuel Ortom of Benue, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.
Also present were Senator Sam Anyanwu, the National Secretary, former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda, current and former lawmakers, and other senior party members.
The gathering discussed the internal crisis facing the party. The attendees reviewed recent events and tried to find a common path forward. After the closed-door meeting, Wike read a joint communiqué.
He said the PDP is in danger of collapsing if urgent reforms are not made. “The eminent stakeholders and concerned leaders are alarmed that the party is on an inevitable path to self-annihilation, if urgent steps are not taken to rein in the desperate, divisive and selfish tendencies that brought the party to its knees in the lead-up to the 2023 election,” the communiqué stated.
It added that some actions by individuals at different levels of the party—especially in the National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC), and Board of Trustees—were tearing the party apart.
Stakeholders Back Anyanwu, Reject Parallel Leadership Moves
One major decision from the meeting was the reaffirmation of Senator Sam Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP. Wike stated that the Supreme Court had already ruled in his favour and the party must obey that judgment.
“To finally arrest the inexorable drift towards extinction in our party, the party must, without further delay, respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. We, therefore, unequivocally reaffirm Senator Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of our great party,” he said.
He also said that only the National Secretary has the power to issue official party notices. According to him, any notices of NEC, National Convention, or other meetings that were not issued by Senator Anyanwu are “null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The stakeholders further warned against attempts to remove Anyanwu illegally. They stressed that only a properly convened National Convention can remove him, based on his constitutional role as a member of the NEC.
Call for Southern Presidential Candidate and Stronger Unity
The group insisted that the next presidential ticket must be given to a Southern candidate. Wike said it was unfair that after eight years of a Northern presidency under Muhammadu Buhari, the PDP should now be considering another Northern flagbearer.
“In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party Constitution, the Party must make an unequivocal pronouncement zoning its presidential candidate to the south in the 2027 elections after the unbroken years of Northern President under President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement added.
The stakeholders called on the acting National Chairman and the National Secretary to issue a joint notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They said this must include a proper agenda for the NEC meeting, which is required by law.
Wike and the others urged members to support the ongoing reconciliation efforts led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. They called for unity, respect for the rule of law, and a stop to all actions aimed at dividing the party.
“We, the stakeholders reiterate our commitment to our great party and urge all members to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional mandate, resist all machinations aimed at destabilising the party and support the efforts of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Senator Bukola Saraki,” they declared.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
