Confusion over the micro-zoning of key offices within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unsettled members and fueled internal tension, as the opposition party struggles to strike a balance in sharing leadership positions ahead of its November national convention and the 2027 general elections.
The dispute became more pronounced after stakeholders in Lagos and Osun states rejected the party’s zoning formula and instead endorsed business leader, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, as their preferred presidential candidate.
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ADC Gets Leadership Clarity with David Mark’s Recognition
In a significant development for opposition politics, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognized former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This recognition ended weeks of leadership disputes and procedural delays that had divided the ADC. With Mark’s leadership now confirmed, the party is expected to play a stronger role in coalition talks with other opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
The confirmation followed INEC’s update on its official website, listing Mark and other principal officers as the duly recognized leadership team. The decision came after the ADC resolved earlier lapses in its documentation, which had previously delayed the commission’s approval.
Mark’s leadership team includes former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary; Dr. Ibrahim Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer; former Minister of Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, as National Publicity Secretary; former Edo State governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, as National Legal Adviser; and Akibu Dalhatu, as National Financial Secretary.
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Jonathan and Kwankwaso in Advanced Talks
Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Musa Kwankwaso, have intensified negotiations aimed at forming a united political front ahead of 2027.
Both camps have held several meetings, with Kwankwaso’s team reportedly demanding the vice-presidential slot in any joint arrangement. While Jonathan is open to collaboration, his camp is also exploring alternatives, including the option of partnering with a younger northern politician, possibly a sitting governor, to attract stronger youth support.
The Jonathan camp, however, faces a strategic dilemma over which platform to use. Although both the PDP and ADC appear open to offering him their tickets, internal party divisions and legal disputes over control of party structures remain a major stumbling block.
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Micro-Zoning Dispute at the Heart of PDP Crisis
Within the PDP, the absence of clarity on micro-zoning—the practice of distributing top offices among specific geopolitical zones—has fueled uncertainty and rivalry.
At the center of the dispute is the position of National Chairman, widely regarded as the party’s most strategic office, as it will shape the presidential campaign machinery and determine the emergence of the party’s candidate for 2027.
Strong contenders have already emerged, including former Kano governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Benue governor Samuel Ortom, and Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim from Kwara State. Each aspirant is backed by powerful blocs within the party.
Some members aligned with the influential G-5 group of former governors confirmed that no final decision has been made. Consultations are ongoing across states and zones, with aspirants already touring the country to build alliances.
Party leaders acknowledge that prolonged indecision could trigger defections or weaken preparations for 2027, recalling how zoning disputes contributed to PDP’s electoral setbacks in the past.
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Resistance to Zoning Grows Across States
Rejection of the zoning formula is spreading, with Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Plateau, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory witnessing rallies and declarations against the party’s leadership template.
In Osogbo, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, South West Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, declared:
> “The era of division is over in Nigeria. What the country needs now is competence, capacity, and a unifier.”
Similarly, in Lagos, local government and senatorial leaders under Ola Azeez also opposed zoning, insisting on merit and capacity as the new guiding principle.
This growing resistance signals possible realignments within PDP as internal power struggles intensify.
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Jonathan’s Strategic Challenge
Jonathan’s biggest obstacle lies in deciding which party to run under. While he maintains strong emotional ties to the PDP, divisions within the party—especially the influence of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike and his allies who support APC’s continued rule—complicate the equation.
Although Jonathan has strong backing within the ADC, some party leaders, including Dumebi Kachikwu and Nafiu Bala, have opposed David Mark’s leadership, filing lawsuits against the transition. Despite INEC’s recognition of Mark, these legal battles may still pose risks.
A source close to Jonathan’s camp explained:
> “Jonathan is both optimistic and cautious. While ADC is largely made up of his loyalists, Atiku is also eyeing the same platform. On the other hand, PDP offers him stronger sentimental and structural ties, but internal factions remain a challenge.”
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The Road to 2027
With PDP still embroiled in zoning disputes, ADC stabilizing under David Mark, and Jonathan–Kwankwaso talks gaining ground, Nigeria’s opposition landscape is entering a defining phase ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The coming months—particularly PDP’s 103rd NEC meeting scheduled for October 15—will determine how the opposition positions itself against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the race for Aso Rock.
