PDP crisis deepens as southern leaders reject ‘illegal’ zoning meeting

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn, as prominent southern stakeholders have denounced a recent zoning consultation meeting ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing it as illegal and manipulative.

The meeting, reportedly held on Thursday at the Legend Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, was tagged the “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit.” It was said to have been convened by the Administrative Secretary of the PDP Zoning Committee on the instruction of the Committee Chairman and Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri.

However, in a strongly worded statement signed by state chairmen, National Assembly members, and other senior party officials, the southern leaders disowned the summit, declaring that it lacked legitimacy and excluded key stakeholders.

According to them, the gathering was a ploy to manipulate zoning arrangements within the party ahead of the 2027 polls, further fueling divisions among PDP members in the South.

“It is highly regrettable and indeed deeply disturbing that such a meeting was convened without the courtesy of inviting several State Chairmen from the South East and South South, as well as the duly elected National Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser of our great party,” the leaders declared.

They accused the organisers of deliberately sidelining prominent figures. “Shockingly, the minority leader in the National Assembly and other principal officers of our party from the South-South and South-East were also deliberately denied participation in a meeting where such far-reaching and sensitive decisions on zoning, power rotation and political equity are to be discussed,” the statement read.

The signatories to the protest included State Party Chairmen Austin Nwachukwu (Imo), Abraham Amah (Abia), Venatius Ikem (Cross River), Aniekan Akpan (Akwa Ibom), and Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers). They were joined by the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck; Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. O. K. Chinda; Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, and Mike Ama Nnachi; former National Secretary, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, and other senior officials.

The group described the Lagos summit as a clandestine move aimed at serving the ambitions of a few individuals. “The said summit is premature and targeted at protecting the interests and selfish ambitions of a select few, as the Zoning Committee set up by the NEC is yet to present its report for ratification,” they said.

They also warned that any resolutions from the meeting would not stand. “For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically dismiss any resolutions, communiqués or outcomes purportedly emanating from this meeting as neither binding on, nor reflective of, the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria. Decisions reached in secrecy and exclusion cannot and shall not assume the authority of consensus,” the statement read.

Emphasising the core values of the PDP, the leaders noted: “Our party, since inception, has been anchored on inclusivity, equity, consultation and collective responsibility. Any process that sidelines key stakeholders erodes trust, fuels division and threatens party cohesion at a time when unity is most needed.”

They urged the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC) and other party organs to disregard the outcome of the Lagos gathering, warning of possible resistance if it is recognised.

“Take notice that where any iota of regard is given to the outcome of the purported meeting, we shall not hesitate to take appropriate steps in line with our party constitution to resist the same with full force,” the leaders warned.

Reaffirming their commitment to equity and fairness in zoning arrangements, they said, “The South East and South South zones, alongside our counterparts in the South West, remain united in the pursuit of fairness, justice, and equity — the very ideals that have sustained our party’s relevance and credibility over the years.”