Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will make a definitive decision on zoning and other critical matters during its upcoming meeting on Monday.
Speaking in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP’s southern zoning committee, Makinde clarified that while the meeting was not a statutory gathering, it served an important consultative purpose. “This is not a constitutional meeting, but in a democracy, consultation and inclusion are vital. We’ve reached out to ensure all stakeholders are heard,” he said.
When pressed on micro-zoning within the party, Makinde responded, “A decision is coming. NEC meets on Monday, and that’s when a formal resolution will be made.”
Addressing speculations about the South producing the PDP’s next presidential candidate, Makinde said it was premature to focus on that. “We first need to rebuild and unite the party. Without a strong PDP, presidential ambitions are meaningless,” he emphasized.
Makinde also highlighted the significance of the meeting’s attendance, pointing to the presence of sitting and former governors, BOT members, senators, and other party leaders as evidence that the PDP remains a vibrant force. “For those claiming PDP is dead, the caliber of people in this meeting proves otherwise,” he said.
Among attendees were Governor Ademola Adeleke, Governor Douye Diri, and Deputy Governor of Enugu representing Governor Peter Mbah. Other key figures included former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel, former PDP deputy national chairman Bode George, BOT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, and Senator Ben Obi.
Makinde also addressed recent remarks by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who insisted South-South Zonal Chairman Dan Orbih must not be removed. Makinde dismissed any intention to engage in a war of words. “Personally, when people go low or into the gutters, I don’t go with them,” he stated.
On internal reconciliation efforts, Makinde reaffirmed PDP’s commitment to healing divisions. “We will reach out to aggrieved members. Democracy allows for disagreements, but it must remain issue-based and focused on what we offer Nigerians.”
Despite the momentum from the Lagos meeting, some PDP leaders from the South have publicly distanced themselves from it. At a press conference in Abuja, they criticized the Lagos meeting as exclusionary, citing the absence of state chairmen from the South-East and South-South, national officers, and several former and serving governors.
They emphasized that the Lagos meeting was premature, especially as the zoning committee appointed by the PDP’s 101st NEC is still finalizing its report, which will be submitted for formal ratification.
As the NEC meeting approaches, the battle for party unity and its direction ahead of future elections remains a top priority for PDP stakeholders.
