With the dust yet to settle from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s dramatic exit, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is gearing up for a high-stakes National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, July 24 a gathering party insiders have dubbed “make or break.”

Top of the agenda: zoning the 2027 presidential ticket and the fate of the party’s upcoming national convention.

Amid internal recalibrations, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed have emerged as early favorites in the race to clinch the PDP’s presidential ticket, as the party seeks to reposition itself ahead of a fierce 2027 general election showdown with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Makinde, Bala Jockey for Pole Position

Multiple credible party sources, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Makinde and Bala are already making strategic moves behind the scenes, with both governors seen as serious contenders to succeed Atiku as the party’s presidential standard-bearer.

One senior PDP insider said, “The exit of Atiku Abubakar is going to bring calm to the party. His ambition has always been a threat to the ambitions of others. With him out of the way, people like Makinde and Bala Mohammed now have the space to step up.”

While neither governor has formally declared their presidential intention, the signs are increasingly clear. In Bauchi, the Bala Mohammed Vanguard, a youth group led by close associates of the governor, has already begun mobilising support, with its Director-General, Mohammed Jibo, describing Bala as “the only individual we believe can save Nigeria.”

Similarly, Makinde, now serving his second term as governor, has become a symbol of southern resurgence in the PDP and is widely viewed as a potential flagbearer in the event the party zones the presidency to the South.

PDP at the Crossroads: Open Ticket or Southern Shift?

The NEC meeting is expected to determine whether the party will throw its presidential ticket open to all Nigerians or adopt a zoning strategy a debate that has divided key party figures.

While PDP stalwarts like Chief Bode George and Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor are pushing for a southern presidential candidate, others including former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri argue for an open contest.

“Zoning is not in our constitution,” one NEC member told The PUNCH. “Opening the ticket gives us the best chance of attracting credible, competent candidates who can take on the APC.”

Still, pro-zoning advocates insist it’s time for the South. Osadolor noted, “Limiting the contest to Atiku, Obi, or Tinubu is a disservice to the over 240 million Nigerians. It’s time for the PDP to look South.”

Atiku’s Exit: A Blessing in Disguise?

Atiku’s surprise resignation from the PDP earlier this month citing “irreconcilable differences” and the party’s deviation from its founding values has been met with mixed reactions. While some see it as a blow to the PDP’s national stature, others view his departure as an opportunity for renewal.

“Atiku’s ambition has long been a source of disaffection,” a senior PDP source said. “His exit clears the way for new, credible leaders to emerge.”

Atiku has since teamed up with other high-profile opposition figures including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), forming what they describe as a “united opposition front” ahead of 2027. The coalition has appointed former Senate President David Mark as interim National Chairman and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary.

PDP Eyes Convention, Faces Internal Reckoning

Beyond zoning, the NEC will also review preparations for the party’s national elective convention scheduled for August. There are growing concerns over whether the timeline remains feasible, given recent internal upheavals.

“The NEC will take reports from all relevant committees, including the zoning committee, and deliberate on whether we go ahead with the August convention,” a high-ranking PDP source told The PUNCH.

Meanwhile, former PDP National Vice Chairman Eddy Olafeso likened the current turbulence to “a storm before renewal,” expressing confidence that the party would emerge stronger and more united.

“The 1945 bombings did not mark the end of Japan. Atiku’s exit will not be the end of the PDP,” Olafeso remarked.

APC Fires Back: “Makinde, Bala Are Lightweight”

Reacting to the PDP’s internal realignments, APC’s Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim dismissed the party’s chances in 2027, regardless of the candidate it presents.

“These are regional players,” Ibrahim said of Makinde and Bala. “They cannot stand the test of national politics. Tinubu will defeat them on any level playing field.”

PDP Still Nigeria’s Biggest Opposition — Party Loyalists Insist

Despite defections and recent setbacks, party faithful remain optimistic.

“The PDP is still the most popular party in Nigeria,” said Ibrahim Tsauri. “Whoever emerges as our 2027 presidential candidate, the party machinery will make that person popular.”

As the countdown to Thursday’s pivotal NEC meeting begins, the battle lines within Nigeria’s oldest surviving political party are being redrawn with zoning, consensus, and credibility at the center of a fierce struggle to reclaim lost ground and redefine its future.