Party says presidential ticket will be zoned to the South as Turaki assures transparent, fair and open primary process

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of its National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, has officially declared its presidential nomination process for the 2027 general elections open to all qualified aspirants from southern Nigeria, a move that effectively paves the way for former President Goodluck Jonathan and other influential southern politicians to contest.

The announcement was made on Tuesday night during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the Abuja residence of former Vice President Namadi Sambo. The gathering was attended by Turaki and several senior party figures, underscoring the significance of the decision ahead of the 2027 polls.

Addressing attendees, Turaki stressed the PDP’s commitment to conducting a transparent, inclusive and credible primary election, noting that it is still too early to predict who will eventually emerge as the party’s presidential candidate. He emphasized that the party’s leadership is determined to allow Nigerians, through a fair process, to decide who flies the PDP flag.

“If for whatever reason anybody wants to contest, we want to assure Nigerians that they will be the ones to decide who becomes the party’s candidate,” Turaki said.

He further clarified that the contest is open to all PDP members who are either resident in southern Nigeria or of southern Nigerian origin, insisting that the party is committed to providing equal opportunities for all aspirants.

“It is open to every member of the PDP living in southern Nigeria or of southern Nigerian descent. The process will be open, transparent, fair and equitable, and it will create a level playing field for everyone,” he added.

Turaki also confirmed that the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election would be restricted to candidates from the South, a zoning decision that directly strengthens the prospects of Jonathan and other prominent southern political heavyweights within the party.

In a related development, the PDP national chairman welcomed a recent ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, which dismissed a lawsuit filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a factional National Secretary of the party. Turaki described the judgment as a major victory for the PDP, saying it reaffirmed the party’s commitment to internal democracy, discipline and due process.

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