2027 Election: Former Kano Gov, 2 Others Backed for PDP Chairmanship Position, Full List Emerges
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoned the position of the national chairman of the party to the north
- Before its eventual announcement in August, key chieftains of the Nigerian main opposition party met severally but was unable to reach a consensus on the subject
- The list of at least three prominent politicians being backed for the PDP national chairmanship role has emerged
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Ahead of the 2027 election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to retain the chairmanship of the party in the north.
Legit.ng reports that the opposition party's national chairman is Umar Damagum, also a northerner, from Yobe state. Damagum is widely expected to be replaced in November.
Source: Twitter
As reported on Thursday, September 11, by Vanguard, the PDP's chairmanship position is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s presidential campaign machinery and determining how its candidates will emerge for the 2027 elections.
Several names have already surfaced in discussions, including former Kano state governor, Ibrahim Shekarau; former Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom; and Kwara-born Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.
It was gathered that each is backed by different blocs seeking to influence the party’s future direction.
A chieftain of the party, aligned with the influential G-5 group of former governors, confirmed to the press that no final decision had been reached on micro-zoning.
Asked if a firm decision had been made, he replied:
“No. Positions have not been micro-zoned yet. On a personal note, my leader (Ortom) has also decided to throw his hat in the ring for national chairmanship position, so I have stood down my bid for the same position.”
A senior party member, who has been active in the ongoing consultations, shared that he had been travelling across different states to build alliances, ahead of any eventual micro-zoning announcement.
He said:
“I’ve already started. I’ve been to about eight states so far. It is not just my ambition, it is also part of the national chairmanship campaign."
Another insider explained how the absence of a clear micro-zoning formula has intensified competition and created deep uncertainty around the chairmanship race.
The ongoing stalemate has sparked unease among PDP members, with some warning that prolonged indecision could lead to defections or weaken the party’s preparations for 2027.
PDP chairmanship aspirants
1) Ibrahim Shekarau (Northwest)
Shekarau is a former Nigerian minister of education and two-term governor of Kano state. He was elected in April 2003 and re-elected in April 2007.
He was one of the candidates who aspired to become president in the 2011 election.
2) Samuel Ortom (Northcentral)
Ortom was a minister of state, trade and investments and the supervising minister for aviation during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
Source: Facebook
Ortom was elected governor of Benue state as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, though he later defected to the PDP. He was re-elected as governor on May 29, 2019.
Ortom's tenure ended on May 29, 2023, succeeded by a Catholic priest of the opposition party, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia.
3) Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (Northcentral)
Olawepo-Hashim is a former deputy publicity secretary of the PDP.
He is an activist-turned-politician and ex-presidential aspirant.
PDP zones presidency to south
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the PDP zoned the party’s presidential slot to the southern part of the country.
The resolution was reached during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) 102nd convention held at the PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja held in August.
The PDP said that the decision followed the recommendations of the report submitted by the Governor Douye Diri-led national convention zoning committee.
Source: Legit.ng
