The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from its 102nd meeting on Monday and unanimously zoned the Presidential ticket of the party to the Southern part of the country.
The decision was part of the recommendation of the National Zoning Committee of the party led by the Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri.
At the meeting, the committee presented its report to NEC which was ratified by members present.
Reading the Communique of the meeting to Journalists and members present, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary said the NEC decided to maintain the present zoning arrangements between the North and the South.
He, therefore, said since the National Chairman of the party is coming from the North in the November 15th and 16th elective National Convention slated for Ibadan, Oyo State, NEC decided to zone the Presidency to the South.
The full communique reads: “The National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 102nd meeting today, Monday, 25th August, 2025 further deliberated on the state of the Party and resolved as follows:
- NEC expressed satisfaction over the level of preparedness of the Party at its various Organs, Chapters and Structures for the 2025 Elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th November 2025.
- NEC acknowledged with satisfaction the efforts and commitment of PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Assembly Caucus and other relevant bodies of the Party towards the success of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
- NEC received and after extensive deliberation approved the report of the National Convention Zoning Committee which recommended as follows:
(a) That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Northern Region of the country remain in the Northern Region.
(b) That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Southern Region of the country remain in the Southern Region.
(c) That having retained the position of the National Chairman in the Northern Region of the country, the Presidential Candidate of the Party for the 2027 General Election is hereby zoned to the Southern Region.
(d) That the Regions should immediately micro-zone positions within its Region for implementation.
NEC adjourned and fixed its next (103rd) meeting to hold on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025
NEC also received update from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and directed the Committee to circulate the Draft Constitution Amendment to various Organs and Chapters of the Party for further inputs.
In recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum in stabilizing the Party, NEC hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the Party with effect from today, Monday, 25th August, 2025 until the National Convention holding at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on 15th to 16th November, 2025.
NEC condemns the resort by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to State Capture through state-backed intimidation, manipulation, inducement, coercion and violence against Nigerians as witnessed in APC’s muzzling of the recent bye-elections in parts of the country.
NEC particularly expressed dismay and condemned the militarization of the recent bye-elections especially in Kaduna and Taraba States as well as Zamfara State where excessive security agencies were deployed in the conduct of run-off election in only five Polling Units in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency.
NEC declares that this action by the APC is a confirmation of APC’s desire to turn our country into a totalitarian One-Party State which is a clear and present danger to democracy and the corporate existence of our country.
NEC reassures Nigerians of PDP’s commitment to Democracy and the defense of the interest and wellbeing of all citizens as we work hard to further reposition our Party to regain power in 2027.
