2027 Countdown: PDP in Turmoil Over Micro-Zoning as Jonathan, Kwankwaso, ADC Plot Grand Opposition Alliance

The battle for Nigeria’s political soul in 2027 has taken a dramatic twist as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces internal implosion over micro-zoning, while former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the newly stabilised African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensify talks on a possible mega-coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

Zoning War Tears PDP Apart

Confusion is rocking the PDP over how key leadership positions will be shared ahead of its November national convention, with Lagos, Osun, Oyo, and Ondo stakeholders rejecting the party’s zoning formula and openly declaring support for business leader Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as their preferred presidential candidate.

The crisis has left top contenders and party elders in suspense, as fierce lobbying and backroom manoeuvres intensify across the states. At the heart of the storm is the powerful position of National Chairman, a role many believe will decide the PDP’s direction and influence its presidential ticket in 2027.

So far, heavyweight names including Samuel Ortom, former governor of Benue; Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, ex-governor of Kano; and Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim from Kwara, have surfaced as strong contenders.

But a chieftain of the influential G-5 bloc, speaking under anonymity, admitted that “no final decision has been reached” as rival camps dig in, warning that prolonged indecision could spark defections similar to the pre-2015 split that crippled the PDP.

Lagos, Osun Revolt Against Zoning

The revolt is already visible. In Osogbo, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, South-West Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, thundered:

> “The era of division is over in Nigeria. What the country needs now is competence, capacity, and a unifier.”



Similar scenes played out in Lagos, where Ola Azeez coordinated a rally of local officials who also rejected zoning, branding Hashim the symbol of a “new era of competence and capability.”

ADC Rebounds With David Mark’s Recognition

While the PDP wrestles with internal storms, the ADC scored a major victory as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally recognised Senator David Mark as its National Chairman, ending weeks of uncertainty that had paralysed the party.

Mark, supported by former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and Dr. Ibrahim Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, is now expected to stabilise the ADC and steer it into coalition talks. The move instantly boosted the opposition’s bargaining power, with sources confirming that heavyweights including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are monitoring the developments closely.

Jonathan–Kwankwaso Talks Deepen

In a parallel drama, the camps of Jonathan and Kwankwaso have been locked in intense negotiations. Multiple sources confirmed to Vanguard that Kwankwaso’s team is demanding the vice-presidential slot, while Jonathan explores the possibility of returning to Aso Rock on either the PDP or ADC platform.

But a source close to Jonathan admitted:

> “The bigger problem is not whether Jonathan wants to run—it is which platform he will use. PDP is divided, ADC is still fragile, and both carry legal uncertainties. Yet, Jonathan is leaning toward PDP out of loyalty and sentiment.”



Opposition Unity or Implosion?

Analysts warn that while the opposition appears to be moving toward a historic coalition, personal ambitions and unresolved legal battles could derail the talks. Still, the recognition of David Mark’s ADC leadership has injected fresh momentum, raising the stakes ahead of October’s crucial PDP NEC meeting and the 2027 political countdown.

As one PDP insider summed it up:

> “It’s no longer just about zoning. It’s about survival. Whoever wins the chairmanship will control the PDP’s soul—and perhaps Nigeria’s political future.”