Bode George Slams Calls for Northern PDP Ticket in 2027

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has criticised calls for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the North, describing them as selfish and manipulative.

George made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Lunchtime Politics, a programme on Channels Television, where he commended the PDP governors and the National Executive Council (NEC) for zoning the ticket to the South while retaining the national chairmanship in the North.

“Unanimously, in that NEC meeting yesterday (Monday), we agreed to zone the ticket to the South for the next four years to complete the eight years in the South. I must emphatically thank all our governors; they are respectable young men,” George said.

He added that the NEC’s resolution had restored balance within the party, stressing that those who had defected in the past were now beginning to return, acknowledging the need for fairness and equity.

The PDP stalwart dismissed dissenting voices calling for the presidential slot to return to the North, insisting that the move would only destabilise the party.

According to him, the decision reflects the principle of rotation, which has long underpinned the party’s unity.

Speaking on how the PDP intends to address members who worked against the party in the 2023 general elections, such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, George said the party would adopt caution.

He stressed that punitive actions would not be rushed, noting that reconciliation and rebuilding were more critical at this stage.

“The party must be careful not to deepen divisions. It is not about punishment now, but about ensuring that fairness, justice, and equity continue to guide our decisions,” he said.