2027 Presidency: Makinde, Others Position Themselves for PDP Ticket, Party Aims for Unity

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is already witnessing intense internal manoeuvring, with a number of its heavyweight governors and leaders indicating interest in the party’s presidential ticket.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is widely reported by party insiders to be among the top contenders preparing to throw his hat into the ring. His name is frequently mentioned as a potential flagbearer from the South, a region that believes it is now its turn to produce the president after the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Makinde, who is currently serving his second term, has built a reputation as a pragmatic and performance-driven administrator. His supporters point to his handling of the economy and infrastructure in Oyo State as evidence of the competence needed to lead the nation. However, political analysts note that his ambition, if pursued, could re-ignite the long-standing zoning debate within the PDP and put him on a collision course with other powerful interests.

The “others” referred to in the political calculations form a long list of party stalwarts who either ran in the past or are new entrants into the presidential fray. This group is expected to include:

· Atiku Abubakar: The party’s flagbearer in 2019 and 2023, Atiku has shown no signs of retiring from politics. His camp believes his experience and extensive network across the country make him the most viable candidate to secure a victory for the PDP.

· Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State: As the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and a former Minister of the FCT, Governor Mohammed has a national outlook and is also believed to be nurturing presidential ambitions.

· Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State: Another influential governor from the North-East, his successful tenure and strong political base make him a potential dark horse in the race.

· Former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State: Now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike remains a powerful and unpredictable force in the PDP. His relationship with the party’s leadership is strained, but his influence and resources make him a key figure whose ambition cannot be discounted.

· Other prominent figures like former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, are also names that feature in early discussions.

The Zoning Conundrum

The biggest challenge for the PDP will be managing its internal zoning arrangement. The party is still grappling with the fallout from the 2023 election, where a rift emerged between the northern and southern blocs over whose turn it was to contest the presidency.

A party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity stated, “The battle for the ticket will not just be about individuals, but about the soul and future of the PDP. Will the party zone its ticket to the South to directly challenge the APC, or will it throw it open, risking the anger of southern stakeholders? This is the question that will define the primaries.”

The Road Ahead

For the PDP to present a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), political observers agree that it must first overcome its internal conflicts and present a united front. The brewing fight for its presidential ticket is both a sign of life and a potential source of crisis.

As one analyst put it, “The ambition of men like Makinde and others is healthy for democracy, but the PDP must carefully manage the process. They must ensure the primary is credible, transparent, and acceptable to all, or risk another cycle of defections and internal wrangling that could weaken them before the main election even begins.”

The battle for the soul of the PDP has officially commenced, and all eyes are on the party’s national leadership to see how it will navigate this complex and high-stakes political terrain.