Some Lagos leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Solidarity Movement, led by the movement’s State Coordinator, Mr. Ola Azeez, and the State Woman Leader, Mrs. Toyin Owolabi, have warned that zoning the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South could reduce the PDP’s chances in the election.
They explained that zoning was not part of the PDP constitution and argued that the arrangement would exclude northern aspirants, who represent 19 states and a major voting bloc.
According to them, such exclusion risked disunity, revived old grievances, and could drive members out of the party.
They stressed that the PDP should focus on winning the presidency before discussing zoning of elective offices.
The group also described Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a northern aspirant and former presidential candidate with southern roots, as the most credible option for 2027.
They cited his youth, intelligence, and expertise in petroleum economics as strengths that positioned him to unite the party and lead the nation.
They maintained that shutting him and other northern aspirants out of the race would be unfair and dangerous for the PDP.
These remarks were made on Wednesday at a news conference in Lagos State.
The group said they would continue to resist any arrangement that sidelines aspirants, urged the PDP leadership to revisit the zoning decision before the national convention, and emphasized that keeping the ticket open to all contenders would strengthen internal democracy, preserve unity, and improve the party’s chances of victory in 2027.