๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐
As the race toward Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gathers momentum, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again at a crossroads. After zoning its presidential ticket to the South in a bid to heal the rifts that tore it apart in 2023, attention has shifted to the big question: Who will emerge as the party’s flagbearer? The choice is not just about internal politics, but also about strategy, identity, and survival for a party that once prided itself as Africa’s largest political movement.
The 2023 elections left the PDP deeply fractured. While Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy polarized the party, defections and internal betrayals weakened its base. The emergence of the G5 governors, the rebellion of southern leaders, and the growing relevance of third-force movements like the Labour Party and the ADC coalition exposed the PDP’s inability to present a united front. With 2027 fast approaching, the party is under immense pressure to make amends and rally Nigerians behind a candidate who can both unify its house and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Political analysts argue that zoning the ticket to the South is a step toward fairness and inclusivity, but it is only the first step. The bigger challenge lies in identifying a candidate who combines competence, popularity, and the ability to win votes across regional and religious divides. For the PDP, the choice could mean revival or permanent relegation to opposition politics.
Against this backdrop, several names have surfaced as possible standard-bearers. From political veterans like Goodluck Jonathan, to reform-driven figures like Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde, to technocrats like Sam Ohuabunwa, the field is wide and diverse. Here are seven possible contenders who may carry the PDP’s flag into the 2027 presidential race.
1. Goodluck Jonathan (South-South)
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, remains one of the most talked-about figures in the PDP’s 2027 permutations. His political journey is one of Nigeria’s most remarkable — from a deputy governor in Bayelsa to vice president, acting president, and eventually president between 2010 and 2015. His gentle demeanor and trademark phrase, “My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian,” still resonates in Nigeria’s democratic memory.
Jonathan’s possible return to the race has generated intense speculation, especially after reports that some PDP leaders have approached him to rejoin the party fully and consider a 2027 bid. Supporters argue that Jonathan’s national acceptance, particularly in the South-South and parts of the North, gives him an edge. They point to his democratic legacy of conceding defeat in 2015 as evidence of his statesmanship. However, critics caution that his past association with allegations of corruption and his age could work against him.
If Jonathan does accept the PDP’s call, it would signal a dramatic twist in Nigeria’s political narrative. It would also mean that the PDP is betting on nostalgia and proven leadership to battle both Tinubu’s incumbency and the rising ADC coalition.
2. Peter Obi (South-East)
Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, has built a reputation as a reformist and an advocate for prudent financial management. Having run under the Labour Party in 2023, Obi won the hearts of millions of young Nigerians through the Obidient Movement, which turned into a nationwide force. His mantra of cutting waste, investing in education, and prioritizing the economy made him one of the most formidable challengers to both the APC and PDP at the time.
Speculation about Obi’s return to PDP has gained ground since the party zoned its ticket to the South. For many analysts, Obi represents a bridge between the older generation of politicians and the restless youth population. His famous line during the 2023 campaigns — “Nigeria is not short of ideas; what we lack is political will and commitment” — continues to inspire calls for his inclusion in PDP’s future.
Yet, Obi’s candidacy is not without complications. He would need to navigate the distrust of some PDP power brokers who still blame him for weakening the party by leaving in 2022. Still, should Obi decide to return and clinch the ticket, the PDP would likely gain a strong boost in credibility among youths and urban voters, positioning him as a serious contender in 2027.
3. Seyi Makinde (South-West)
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is widely considered the poster boy of the PDP’s new generation. As one of the influential G5 governors who rebelled against Atiku’s candidacy in 2023, Makinde carved out a space as a bold voice for fairness and equity in Nigerian politics. His insistence that the South deserved the PDP ticket eventually aligned with the zoning decision taken in 2025.
Makinde is admired for his pragmatic governance in Oyo State, where he has invested in education, infrastructure, and security. His approachable style of leadership has made him popular not only in the South-West but also among PDP members nationwide. Supporters highlight his repeated emphasis on equity: “You cannot build fairness by ignoring justice; we must give every region its due.”
If Makinde secures the PDP ticket, it would be a strong signal that the party is ready to hand the mantle to a younger generation of leaders. However, questions remain about his national appeal compared to more widely recognized figures like Jonathan and Obi.
4. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa (South-East)
Renowned pharmacist, businessman, and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Sam Ohuabunwa, is another figure being tipped for the 2027 race. Ohuabunwa, who hails from Abia State in the South-East, was a presidential aspirant under PDP in 2023.
He has consistently argued that the presidency requires a leader with managerial skills and a proven record of experience.
In a 2022 interview, Ohuabunwa stressed, “This office of the president is a serious office. You must have experience in managing many things at the same time. I have the experience. I have been trained. I may belong to the older group but my spirit, my heart is of a young person.” His words reveal a man determined to project himself as both seasoned and adaptable.
While not as politically popular as Jonathan or Obi, Ohuabunwa’s candidacy would reflect a technocratic approach, appealing to Nigerians tired of career politicians. His background in business and economic policy could provide PDP with a candidate who promises reform with credibility.
5. Emmanuel Udom (South-South)
Emmanuel Udom, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, is another southern figure whose name has surfaced in PDP discussions.
Born in 1966, Udom made his mark as a banker and accountant before venturing into politics. He rose through the ranks with the backing of former governor Godswill Akpabio, who appointed him Secretary to the State Government in 2013. By 2015, Udom emerged as governor, serving two terms until 2023.
Udom has previously expressed his presidential ambitions, stressing that Nigeria needs leaders of integrity and character. During his 2023 campaigns, he declared: “The time has come for men of proven integrity, character, and experience to lead Nigeria.” For supporters, this statement embodies his self-image as a principled and steady hand.
His challenge, however, lies in national visibility. While he remains respected in the South-South, Udom’s influence across other regions has not been as pronounced. Still, his candidacy would present the PDP with an option of stability and quiet competence.
6. Nyesom Wike (South-South)
Although his current role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the APC government makes his position complicated, Nyesom Wike’s name still lingers in PDP circles. As one of the G5 governors and a major financier of the PDP, Wike has long been regarded as a power broker. His fiery rhetoric and fearless style of politics have made him both admired and controversial.
Wike once declared: “I stood for justice, fairness, and equity. I will never support any system that undermines the South.” This statement during the 2023 campaign reflected his role in opposing Atiku’s candidacy. Supporters argue that his consistency in fighting for southern inclusion could make him a surprise candidate if he reconciles with the PDP fully.
However, Wike’s open cooperation with Tinubu’s APC makes him a divisive figure. To some, he is a betrayer of PDP’s cause; to others, he is a strategic survivor. Should he ever return to the fold, his candidacy would generate both excitement and suspicion in equal measure.
7. Anyim Pius Anyim (South-East)
A former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim is another southern figure with deep roots in Nigerian politics. Hailing from Ebonyi State, he combines legislative experience with executive exposure.
In 2023, he declared interest in the presidency under the PDP but later stepped aside due to internal party issues.
Although Anyim is no longer an active member of the PDP, having joined the APC in July 2024, the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South makes his return very likely. His political influence and long-standing relationship with key PDP stakeholders keep him within the radar.
Anyim has consistently emphasized unity and fairness, once stating: “Nigeria can only work when every section of this country feels carried along.” This reflects his vision of inclusive governance. While he may not boast the youth appeal of Makinde or the mass movement strength of Obi, Anyim could emerge as a consensus candidate if PDP leaders seek a compromise choice.
Conclusion
The PDP’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South has streamlined the race but also sparked a fresh challenge — choosing a vice-presidential candidate from the North ahead of its national convention in November.
That choice could prove decisive, shaping whether voters will rally behind the party in the 2027 elections against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the new coalition, African Democratic Congress (ADC).
