A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has publicly endorsed Samuel Anyanwu as the party's substantive National Secretary while demanding that the party's 2027 presidential ticket be zoned to the South.
The declaration came after a strategic meeting held in Abuja on Monday night, which included prominent PDP stakeholders such as former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
In a communique read by Wike following the meeting, the group stated: "We therefore unequivocally affirm Senator Anyanwu as the truly elected substantive national secretary of our great party. In the spirit of fairness and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal announcement zoning its presidential candidate to the south in the 2027 election."
Power Struggle Within PDP Leadership
The faction emphasized that only Anyanwu possesses the authority to issue notices for critical party meetings, including the National Convention, National Working Committee, National Caucuses, and the National Executive Council (NEC), which is the party's highest decision-making body.
This declaration highlights the ongoing power struggle within Nigeria's main opposition party, which has been experiencing internal divisions since the 2023 general elections. The Wike-led group, formerly known as the G5 governors, has maintained significant influence within the party despite some members now serving in the ruling APC government.
Political analysts view this latest move as part of broader positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the demand for southern zoning potentially setting the stage for future alliances and negotiations within Nigeria's political landscape.
The PDP has yet to issue an official response to these demands from the Wike faction, leaving questions about how the party leadership will navigate these internal challenges while preparing for upcoming electoral contests.
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