The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the zoning of its 2027 presidential ticket to the south is not connected to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise News on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, argued that the move was taken to strengthen the party and ensure stability.

Ologunagba asserted that no individual is bigger than PDP, insisting the party vindicated itself by zoning its ticket to the south.

“No one individual is vindicated. If anything, it is the party that has been vindicated. After the 2023 elections, we reviewed our processes, identified the gaps, and made the necessary adjustments. That is why Nigerians are now seeing renewed unity and excitement within the PDP,” he said

He stressed that the party’s decision was in line with the founding principle that the presidential candidate should rotate between the North and South, adding that all stakeholders, including the PDP Governors’ Forum, National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BoT), and state chapters, were united behind the resolution.

“The NEC, after all consultations, decided to maintain stability by keeping positions in the North where they are, retaining positions in the South where they are, and zoning the presidency to the South. This was about fairness and unity, not glorifying an individual,” he added.

He insisted that the PDP was never in an ‘intensive care unit,’ contrary to comments made by Senator Gabriel Suswan, a former governor of Benue State.

According to him, the party has only gone through challenges similar to those faced by any organisation but has since ‘recalibrated’ to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The party was never in the ICU. Do we have challenges? Yes, we do, just like every human organisation. But what has emerged is the fact that the PDP has the capacity, in challenging periods, to step back, reorganise itself and take charge of its internal affairs,” Ologunagba said.

On the issue of discipline for members who worked against the party in 2023, he said the PDP initially prioritised reconciliation but had now reached the stage of enforcing consequences.

“Membership of the PDP is voluntary but comes with obligations under the constitution. We have reached the point where every member must roll up their sleeves and work for the party. Reprimands have been issued, and we expect members to comply. We want to look forward, not backward,” he said.

Ologunagba dismissed Wike’s claims that he was not invited to NEC meetings, insisting that notices were sent and duly acknowledged, while additional publications were made in national dailies.

“Every stakeholder was duly informed. Specifically, Wike was invited as a NEC member, and the letter was received and acknowledged in his office. Notices were also published in several newspapers. So, to say he was not invited is simply not true,” he clarified.