By Oluwasore Alabi
The recent Southern Zoning Consultative Summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Lagos, has once again highlighted the urgent need for party solidarity ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State rightly emphasized that the party must first rebuild itself into a strong and united force before any serious conversation about presidential candidates can begin.
This summit, attended by key PDP figures such as Governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Peter Mba’s deputy (Enugu), as well as respected leaders like Chief Bode George and Senator Adolphus Wabara, sent a clear message: the PDP is not dead, and it is determined to bounce back. However, notable absentees from the camp of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his loyalists expose cracks that cannot be ignored.
The importance of zoning and internal consultations within the PDP cannot be overstated. Democracy thrives when all voices are heard, and when consensus is reached through dialogue. Governor Makinde’s reminder that “we need to have a party first” underscores the reality that a fractured house cannot stand, let alone win a national election.
With the National Convention just months away, the PDP has an opportunity to prove critics wrong. The party must urgently work to heal internal divisions and bring all stakeholders regardless of camp or allegiance back to the table. Declaring meetings “illegal” only deepens mistrust and weakens collective efforts.
The positive takeaway from the Lagos summit is that many leaders are still committed to the PDP’s survival. The victory in Oyo State’s by-election is a small but significant sign that the party still has grassroots support. But the road to 2027 will be long and hard if unity remains elusive.
PDP has a responsibility to Nigerians to provide a credible opposition and a real alternative to the ruling party. To do that, it must put personal interests aside and focus on rebuilding trust, structure, and strategy.
Only a united PDP can effectively contest in 2027. The time to fix the house is now not when the race has already begun.
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