The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has thrown light on the decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the south, dismissing claims that it was aimed at glorifying the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, gave the clarification on Wednesday when he was responding to questions in an interview on The Morning Show, a programme on Arise Television.
Ologunagba, while speaking on the state of the PDP, the forthcoming national convention, and dissenting views within the party, stressed that the move was taken to strengthen the party and ensure stability.
According to him, the PDP was never in an ‘intensive care unit,’ contrary to comments made by Senator Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State.
He added that the party has only gone through challenges similar to those faced by any organisation but has since ‘recalibrated’ to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The party was never in the ICU. Do we have challenges? Yes, we do, just like every human organisation. But what has emerged is the fact that the PDP has the capacity, in challenging periods, to step back, reorganise itself and take charge of its internal affairs,” Ologunagba said.
On claims that the zoning decision was a vindication of Wike, he maintained that no individual was bigger than the PDP.
“No one individual is vindicated. If anything, it is the party that has been vindicated. After the 2023 elections, we reviewed our processes, identified the gaps, and made the necessary adjustments. That is why Nigerians are now seeing renewed unity and excitement within the PDP,” he said.
