The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken significant steps to reconcile with Federal Capital Territory Minister and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, by yielding to his political demands in a bid to stabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the PDP revealed that the party leadership has agreed to key concessions, including zoning its presidential ticket to the South, endorsing Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, and reaffirming the North-South zoning arrangement. These decisions aim to address Wike’s key concerns and prevent further confrontation between him and the party.
“The party has sat down and addressed everything Wike asked for. He wants Anyanwu as the secretary, and a declaration that the presidential ticket will be zoned to the South. The party has accepted this. So, on what basis will Wike now fight the party? There’s no basis,” a senior PDP source said.
This move comes amidst ongoing internal divisions in the PDP, which stem from the collapse of the once-powerful G5 governors’ bloc. Initially comprising Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Seyi Makinde, the group has now dwindled to three members, with Makinde and Ortom parting ways. Despite his political isolation, Wike remains influential in the South-South and South-East regions.
PDP strategists view the reconciliation with Wike as essential to maintaining the party’s strength in these regions, particularly as the party prepares for its November national convention, where leadership and zoning issues will be settled.
Meanwhile, the party is keeping a close eye on the political moves of former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose silence on a potential 2027 run has fueled speculation. Some insiders believe that Jonathan’s candidacy — particularly if paired with former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso — could significantly alter the political dynamics and possibly deter Labour Party’s Peter Obi from entering the race.
A senior party figure also pointed to the longstanding structural advantage held by the northern political bloc, noting that the tradition of holding strategic decision-making meetings on Fridays before elections gives the north a distinct edge in planning and coordination.
