A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt Hon. Jones Onyereri, has thrown his weight behind the zoning of the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South, aligning with the position of concerned stakeholders led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, Onyereri also reaffirmed his support for Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of the party.
Onyereri’s comments follow Monday’s strategic meeting of PDP stakeholders convened by Wike under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP”.
The meeting, which was held in Abuja, brought together prominent party figures, including members of the influential G5 governors’ group, except for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
“The party must adhere strictly to its constitution, and that includes the principle of zoning,” Onyereri declared.
“In this regard, we have always stated that the zoning for the forthcoming presidential election should favour the South. That was clearly stated in the communiqué read out yesterday.”
The decision to zone the presidency to the South is seen as an effort to address concerns about inclusivity and fairness within the party’s ranks, particularly following the fallout from the 2023 presidential elections.
Onyereri also took aim at the recent meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), which he claimed was not properly convened in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“The issue is that it wasn’t properly convened,” he said. “According to Section 47, subsections 1, 2, 1, 3, and 5—or thereabouts—it’s clearly stated that only the National Secretary has the authority to send out correspondence on behalf of the party.
“Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, the National Secretary, didn’t issue any notice to members about that meeting.
“In fact, he even wrote to confirm that the meeting had been cancelled. So I believe that’s the crux of the matter—it wasn’t properly convened.”
He emphasised that the group of stakeholders who met with Wike are committed to upholding the constitution of the party and addressing internal conflicts constructively.
“Eminent stakeholders from across the country have reaffirmed that Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu is the duly elected and substantive National Secretary,” Onyereri said.
“A communiqué has been issued to that effect. We are committed to resolving our internal issues without compromising the integrity of the party.”
During Monday’s meeting, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and other members of the G5—a group of five governors who opposed the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate—also reiterated their call for unity and discipline within the party.
Ortom emphasised that the G5 had played a critical role in stabilising the party and warned against personal ambition overriding collective interest.
“We must put an end to the culture of greed and ego. The PDP is bigger than any individual,” Ortom said at the meeting.
“Our survival as a political force depends on unity and adherence to the founding principles of the party.”
The internal divisions within the PDP have continued to draw attention ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders pushing for reforms, reconciliation, and strategic clarity, particularly around the issues of zoning and internal democracy.
As the party navigates this critical period, voices like Onyereri’s signal a growing consensus around returning to constitutional order and respecting the principles of federal character and rotational leadership—key tenets the party was once known for.
“We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again,” Onyereri concluded. “This is the time to rebuild, to reconcile, and to move forward together.”
