PDP Leadership Aligns Strategy On Zoning, Power Sharing Formula

PDP Leadership Aligns Strategy On Zoning, Power Sharing Formula

Top figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ramped up consultations over the weekend in preparation for a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for today.

The meeting is expected to confirm the party’s national convention slated for November 2025 and approve the zoning committee’s report led by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri.

In a coordinated effort to unify their positions, three key organs of the party—the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Caucus, and the Board of Trustees (BoT)—held separate meetings on Sunday to streamline their agenda ahead of the 102nd NEC session.

Among the high-level engagements was a Saturday gathering in Zamfara State, where seven PDP governors pledged to defend the planned convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, against any disruption.

The NWC, responsible for the party’s day-to-day operations, comprises the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (South), National Secretary, National Treasurer, National Youth Leader, and other officials. Meanwhile, the National Caucus includes current and former governors, principal officers of the National Assembly, and members of both the NWC and BoT.

Today’s NEC meeting in Abuja is widely regarded as a strategic turning point for the PDP. The outcome of the zoning committee’s ratification will significantly influence the party’s power-sharing framework between the North and South, and across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The zoning formula will determine the region from which the PDP’s presidential candidate will emerge. For other national positions, stakeholders typically micro-zone roles among states within each zone to promote inclusivity and stability.

Last Thursday, PDP leaders from the South-West, South-South, and South-East convened a zoning summit to present a united stance ahead of the NEC meeting. Attendees included Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah represented by his deputy. Other prominent figures present were former Governors Emmanuel Udom and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ex-presidential candidate Ben Obi, and former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George. However, some southern PDP leaders distanced themselves from the Lagos meeting.

According to the PDP’s official schedule for the 2025 national convention, the NEC’s primary task today is to review and adopt the 44-member zoning committee’s report. Assuming a smooth ratification process, zonal meetings to finalize national office allocations are set to begin Tuesday and conclude by September 1.

As of Sunday, apart from the governors’ firm commitment to proceed with the convention, other party organs had yet to issue further statements.