PDP Must Field a Southern Candidate in 2027 – Former Atiku Campaign Chief

By: Bayero Ade

Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State and a former member of Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Committee, has urged the party to prioritize a southern candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

According to Politics Nigeria, speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Pearse emphasized the need for political equity and the importance of addressing national sentiments by rotating power to the South.

“The general sentiment across the country is that the PDP should field a southerner for president in 2027,” Pearse said. “We need someone from the South to complete these four years, ensuring the presidency alternates between the regions, as this is essential to rescuing Nigeria.”

Pearse, who served as Head of the Directorate of Documentation and Reporting for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign in Lagos, argued that fielding a northern candidate in 2027 would not be a strategic move for the party.

“It is neither strategic nor in our best interest to support a northern candidate for president in the next election,” he added.

Opposition Alliances Unlikely

Addressing speculation about potential political alliances between the PDP and other opposition parties, such as the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Pearse dismissed the idea as impractical. He cited historical difficulties in forming successful alliances in Nigerian politics.

“Political alliances, both in Nigeria and abroad, are very challenging because competing groups and leaders often struggle to yield ground to one another,” Pearse explained. “We’ve tried it before, and it’s rarely successful.”

The PDP stalwart expressed confidence in the party’s ability to win the 2027 elections without merging with other political entities.

“An alliance is neither realistic nor necessary for the PDP’s success in 2027. I personally believe it is highly unlikely,” Pearse concluded.

His comments come amid ongoing debates within the PDP about the party’s future strategy and the importance of regional balance in Nigeria’s political leadership.