The Arewa Youth Assembly has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of losing credibility in the North after abandoning its power rotation principle during the 2023 general elections.

Leader of the group, Salihu Mohammed Danlami, made this known in an interview with Vanguard while reacting to the PDP National Executive Committee’s resolution at its 102nd meeting in Abuja on Monday that the party’s 2027 presidential ticket be zoned to the South.

The NEC also resolved to retain the current National Working Committee headed by Ambassador Umar Damagum.

Danlami argued that the crisis rocking the PDP stemmed from its refusal to honour the zoning arrangement between the North and South.

He said, “There was a gentleman’s agreement on power rotation, eight years in the North, then eight years in the South. In 2019, both APC and PDP fielded northern candidates. Then in 2023, PDP broke the arrangement by abandoning zoning and gave the ticket to Atiku. That was the beginning of the crisis.”

The Arewa Youth leader said many northerners had since lost faith in the PDP and were now pitching their tent with the African Democratic Congress.

“Northerners who are in opposition believe PDP has lost credibility. Many have already decided to move to the ADC. Today, PDP is seen by some as little more than a civil society group advocating others’ interests,” Danlami stated.