2027 Presidency: PDP Zoned Ticket to South for Sanity and Unity – Bauchi Governor

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has defended the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, stating that the move is intended to promote sanity, unity, and inclusiveness within the party.

The resolution was reached during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday, August 25, in Abuja, where the party also ratified Iliya Damagum as its substantive national chairman.

Speaking during an interview with AIT less than 24 hours after the decision, Governor Mohammed revealed he was actively involved in the strategy and described the outcome as a deliberate move to stabilise the PDP ahead of the next general election.

“I am very satisfied with the resolution because I’m part and parcel of it — from the arrangement, strategy and delivery,” he said. “So, it is an all-inclusive decision… to sustain the zoning formula within the party offices, and of course, to zone the presidential office to the South so that we can have some sanity, some understanding and unity.”

Governor Mohammed also urged Nigerians to look beyond personal ambition in politics, advocating for collective responsibility and party discipline.

“Politics is not about personal interest,” he said. “It’s about self-actualisation within the framework of party decisions, party manifesto and national development. Everything is predicated on sacrifice, not self-interest. We must live and let live, and respect each other. Power comes from God.”

He further assured that all arms of the party leadership, including PDP governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Board of Trustees (BoT), are united in efforts to reposition the PDP as a viable and attractive choice for Nigerians in 2027.

“I’m always available — we are all available as governors, as NWC, as BoT — to work towards making sure that the PDP is a darling of Nigerians, so that we can give the political space allowances for everybody to come and actualise his or her aspirations,” he added.

The zoning decision is seen as part of broader internal reforms as the PDP gears up to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.