2027: North central group rejects PDP’s zoning of presidential ticket to the south

A coalition under the banner of North Central Support Groups for Gbenga Joel Hashim’s 2027 Presidential Bid has appealed to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to revisit its recent decision to zone the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

The group made the call at a press conference in Jos.

Dimfa Ezekiel, the convener of the group and its coordinator, said while internal party strategies are essential, the PDP must uphold fairness, inclusivity, and meritocracy. According to him, limiting the ticket to one geopolitical zone could alienate other regions and potentially weaken the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group emphasised that opening the presidential race to all qualified aspirants, irrespective of their geographical location, would send a strong signal of equity and provide Nigerians with the best possible leadership options. He maintained that the country’s current challenges require competent leaders, not just those selected based on regional considerations.

“Nigerians are yearning for effective leadership that can confront economic hardship, security threats, and national disunity. Only the PDP can produce such leadership, but this can only happen when all aspirants are given equal opportunities to contest”.

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The group also expressed its full endorsement of Governor Caleb Mutfwang for a second term in Plateau State, citing his performance in infrastructure development, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance.

They noted that the governor has significantly changed the governance narrative in the state since assuming office.

They commended the party’s national leadership, led by Iliya Damagun, the Acting National Chairman, the Board of Trustees (BOT), and other critical stakeholders for their ongoing efforts to stabilise the PDP and maintain its momentum ahead of the 2027 Ibadan National Convention.

Reiterating their position, the group said, “We stand firmly behind Barrister Caleb Mutfwang on the Plateau and Dr. Gbenga Joel Hashim for President. They both have the vision, competence, and integrity needed to move Plateau State and Nigeria forward”.

Nathaniel Gbaoron

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.