PDP South Zones Agree On New Power Sharing Formula Ahead Of 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a new power sharing arrangement among its three southern zones, setting the stage for its national convention in November.

The agreement followed the 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in August, where the party resolved to rotate the presidency to the South in 2027. With that decision altering the existing balance of positions, the South-South, South-East, and South-West zones were tasked with drawing up their internal zoning structure.

Party leaders from the three zones met, harmonised their positions, and submitted a joint memo to acting national chairman Umar Ilya Damagum through Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the current deputy national chairman (South). The document was also circulated to members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Under the new structure, the South-East will produce the National Financial Secretary, Deputy National Secretary, National Women’s Leader, and Deputy National Youth Leader. The South-West will take the offices of National Secretary, National Auditor, and Deputy National Organising Secretary. The South-South will fill the slots of Deputy National Chairman (South), National Publicity Secretary, Deputy National Treasurer, and Deputy National Legal Adviser.

The shift means the South-West is losing the position of National Publicity Secretary, now ceded to the South-South, while gaining the office of National Secretary, previously held by the South-East. The South-East, in turn, retains four important positions but surrenders one of the most influential offices in the party.

The memo stressed that the agreement was reached after wide consultations and urged party leaders to respect the new structure as the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms begins.

The zoning outcome is expected to trigger changes within the PDP National Working Committee. Some current occupants will lose their seats as the new arrangement takes effect, while others will benefit from the redistribution of roles.

With its internal structure gradually stabilising after years of crisis, the PDP hopes the harmonised southern position will strengthen its unity ahead of the 2027 elections.