Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, on Thursday, charged members of the party’s newly inaugurated 44-member National Convention Zoning Committee (NCZC) to treat their assignment with fairness, equity, and strategic foresight, warning that the decision they take could make or mar the party’s future.

The inauguration of the committee in Abuja reminded party stakeholders of the controversies that trailed the zoning exercise conducted in September 2021 by the then Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. While the previous committee had zoned the national chairmanship to the North, the subsequent committee, chaired by former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, opted for an open presidential contest. This decision deepened internal rifts and contributed to the crisis that engulfed the PDP before and after the 2023 general elections.

“This committee is the engine room where we lay the political foundation for the leadership of the PDP over the next four years,” Damagum said. “Our zoning process must reflect fairness, equity, and strategic thinking, as well as strengthen our unity, reward loyalty, and position us for electoral victory.”

Acknowledging the turbulence the party has faced in recent years, including leadership changes and defections, the acting chairman stressed that PDP must remain “bigger than any individual” and “destined to remain a central force in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

Drawing from his own experience of unexpectedly assuming the party’s top position from his role as National Deputy Chairman (North), Damagum underscored the need for competence alongside loyalty.

“Loyalty is the lifeblood of our party. Without it, unity is impossible. Yet loyalty alone is not enough; it must walk hand in hand with competence,” he said.

He urged committee members to consider both principal and deputy positions carefully, noting that the calibre of individuals emerging from each zone must be capable of inspiring confidence and mobilising support.

Also speaking, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, pledged the total support of the governors for the zoning process.

He lauded the resilience of party members at all levels, noting that despite political challenges, PDP remains the only credible alternative for Nigerians.

“All the legacies and landmarks of democratic dividends have been provided by the PDP. The many years of APC administration have left woes, melancholy, hunger and anger,” Mohammed declared. “We cannot afford that again.”

He described the zoning exercise as critical to producing the right leadership for the 2027 general elections, stressing that governors were united in ensuring the emergence of a credible and unifying team.

In his acceptance remarks, Chairman of the zoning committee and Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, assured stakeholders of a consultative and inclusive process. “We will partner and engage widely to ensure that we arrive at a fair and just zoning formula for our party,” he said.

The 2021 zoning controversy remains a cautionary tale for the party, with many in the PDP wary of repeating decisions that could reignite old divisions. As the zoning committee begins its work, expectations are high that the outcome will help reposition the PDP ahead of its national convention and the 2027 polls.