Professor Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information and a founding father of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the party to nominate its 2027 presidential candidate from the southern region of Nigeria.
Speaking at a consultative meeting of PDP founding fathers and stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja, Gana emphasised that such a move would not only boost the party’s chances at the polls but also promote justice, equity, and fairness.
“In line with the patriotic vision of our founding fathers, we urge all PDP leaders to support the selection of a presidential candidate from the South,” Gana stated.
“This approach will strengthen our chances of victory and reaffirm our commitment to fairness and national unity.”
He also urged the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to agree to convene a National Convention to elect a new set of party officers for the next four years.
“We must ensure a transparent, credible, and accountable convention that sets the gold standard for internal democracy. No more backroom deals or impositions. Delegates must be free to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC) made up of individuals with integrity, competence, and loyalty to PDP ideals,” he said.
Gana stressed the need to prioritize youth and women inclusion, calling for a deliberate effort to empower the next generation of leaders.
“Young Nigerians with fresh ideas, energy, and digital fluency must be given space to lead. Our 2027 strategy should spotlight youth and women, making them central to our leadership and candidate selection process,” he added.
Reflecting on the formation of the PDP in 1998, Gana recalled that the founding fathers were driven not merely by a desire for political power, but by a vision to build a better Nigeria grounded in democracy, human rights, freedom, and social justice.
Prominent attendees at the meeting included former Kaduna State Governor and PDP BoT Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Youth Leader Muhammed Suleiman; National Woman Leader Amina Bryhm; National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo; National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature; South East Vice Chairman Ali Odefa; National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba.
Others in attendance were former Governors Jim Nwobodo (Anambra), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano); Chief Olabode George; former Ministers Labaran Maku, Aminu Turaki, and Maryam Ciroma; Senator Yakubu Lado; DG PDP Governors Forum Emmanuel Agbo; and former PDP National Chairman Abubakar Baraje.
