PDP’s Zoning of 2027 Presidential Ticket to South Big Error, Opines Olawepo-Hashim
Former presidential aspirant and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has strongly criticised the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, warning that the move could significantly weaken the opposition’s chances in the next general election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, August 25, 2025, Olawepo-Hashim described the zoning arrangement as a “big error” that, in his view, amounts to handing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a free advantage ahead of the polls.
According to him, restricting the presidential ticket to only one part of the country limits the pool of capable aspirants within the PDP and undermines its ability to mount a formidable challenge against the APC.
He argued that those advocating for the arrangement are, directly or indirectly, strengthening the re-election bid of President Tinubu.
“This decision is nothing short of a campaign gift to the APC. By narrowing the contest to only the South, the PDP is excluding other strong contenders who could broaden its national appeal. It is a strategic miscalculation,” Olawepo-Hashim stated.
The PDP’s National Executive Committee had recently announced that while the 2027 presidential slot would be reserved for the South, the party’s chairmanship would remain in the North — a decision intended to balance regional interests.
However, the announcement has ignited a wave of debate within the party and across Nigeria’s political circles.
Supporters of the zoning formula argue that it reflects fairness and equity in line with Nigeria’s rotational power-sharing tradition, which seeks to ensure inclusivity among the country’s diverse regions.
On the other hand, critics warn that it risks alienating certain blocs of the party, especially in the North, whose support is considered vital for a nationwide electoral victory.
Olawepo-Hashim stressed that historically, the PDP has thrived on competitive primaries where aspirants from all regions could contest freely, thereby strengthening internal democracy and offering the electorate a broader range of choices.
He cautioned that departing from this approach not only risks internal divisions but could also compromise the party’s electoral strength.
Reactions from stakeholders and analysts remain divided. While some believe zoning is necessary to maintain peace within the PDP and prevent a repeat of the crises that preceded the 2023 elections, others maintain that excluding potential candidates on the basis of geography at such a critical political moment could backfire.
The debate comes as the PDP continues to reposition itself after years in opposition, with the party seeking to reclaim power from the APC, which has dominated the national political space since 2015. Observers note that how the PDP resolves this zoning controversy, and whether it can unite around a consensus candidate acceptable across regions, will play a decisive role in shaping its fortunes in 2027.
Olawepo-Hashim’s criticism adds to the growing voices questioning the wisdom of the decision, underscoring the deepening tension within the opposition party as it prepares for a high-stakes electoral contest.
