• Position zoned to North
By Abiola Olawale
As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gears up for its National Convention on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the race for the party’s national chairmanship has intensified.
The New Diplomat’s checks showed that the leadership of the PDP has resolved to zone the national chairmanship seat to the North while the presidential ticket goes to the South.
Sources who spoke with The New Diplomat also confirmed that prominent figures such as former Minister of Information Professor Jerry Gana, former party chairman Kawu Baraje, and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, are already jostling as frontrunners for the seat, setting the stage for a high-stakes leadership battle ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that the PDP, one of Nigeria’s major political parties, is at a critical juncture as it seeks to unite its ranks and position itself as a strong opposition force against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Further checks by The New Diplomat show that party stakeholders are already advocating for a consensus approach to select the next national chairman to avoid a repeat of the internal crises that have plagued the PDP in recent years.
However, opinions remain divided on choosing a consensus candidate, as some party stakeholders are concerned that the opinion of the minority might not count.
The source added: “Many stakeholders in the party are saying that the next PDP Chairman should be agreed upon before the National Convention so that all members will go into the Convention as a unified body.
“But, due to the problems we have had in the party, there are some people who feel that a consensus candidate can cause more damage. We are still discussing issues around that so that we can ensure we remain as a strong party before 2027.”
Among those whom party stakeholders are rallying behind for the Chairmanship seat is Gana, a founding member of the PDP and a seasoned politician from Niger State.
The source who spoke with The New Diplomat said some party stakeholders believe Gana is a strong force and a good fit for that role.
Also, Baraje, a former national chairman of the PDP, from the North-Central zone, is another heavyweight in the race.
Having led the PDP from 2011 to 2014, Baraje’s experience and deep connections within the party might also make formidable candidate, the source said.
But Baraje is perceived as a “Saraki Boy” who has no weight on his own. Unlike, Gana, he has not held any high-profile federal government appointment.
Makarfi, a former Kaduna State governor and caretaker chairman of the PDP, is also a leading contender.
Hailing from the North-West, Makarfi’s brief stint as caretaker chairman in 2016 earned him praise for stabilizing the party during a turbulent period, the source said.
Another complex scenario playing out is that the race, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum is also reportedly lobbying to secure the position on a substantive basis. He is perceived as a Nyesom “Wike mole” in the PDP hierarchy.
In the coming days, the scenario, according to analysts would become ckearer.
