Professor Jerry Gana, a founding father of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the party to nominate its presidential candidate for the 2027 election from the southern part of the country.

He made the call as the party prepares for its next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, urging unity, internal democracy, and a renewed commitment to the party’s founding values.

Turning his attention to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Gana delivered a scathing critique, describing the last decade under the APC as “the most retrogressive in Nigeria’s history.”

He accused the APC of failing on all major fronts like security, economy, and national unity, citing alarming statistics on kidnapping, inflation, unemployment, and Nigeria’s fall from Africa’s top economic position.

“Over 4,000 Nigerians were kidnapped and 1,500 killed in just the first half of 2024. Inflation has surpassed 33.95 per cent, the naira has lost over 765 per cent of its value since 2015, and over 133 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty. This is not governance; this is regression,” he declared.

Addressing party leaders, stakeholders, governors, lawmakers, women and youth leaders, and supporters at a pre-NEC conference, with the theme “Reclaiming our legacy, renewing our collective vision” in Abuja on Wednesday, Gana declared that the PDP remains “alive, flourishing, and mobilising powerfully for the restoration of good governance, peace, security, and prosperity in Nigeria.”

He stressed that the PDP was not formed merely to capture power, but to rebuild Nigeria on the foundations of democracy, social justice, national unity, and economic transformation. “The founding fathers of the PDP were deeply motivated by the desire to create a better society, grounded in human rights, fairness, productivity, and ethical governance,” Gana stated.

Highlighting the need for national cohesion and electoral strategy, Gana strongly advocated for the party to field a presidential candidate from the southern region in the 2027 general elections. According to him, such a move would not only promote justice and equity but would also enhance the party’s electoral prospects.

“In tune with the patriotic wisdom of our founding fathers, we urge our leaders to support a power shift to the South. This strategy will not only secure victory at the polls but also restore faith in fairness and inclusivity,” he said.

Gana appealed to the NEC to urgently convene a National Convention to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC), emphasising that the process must be transparent, credible, and reflective of the party’s democratic ideals.

“No more backroom deals or impositions. Delegates must be allowed to freely elect competent and loyal party leaders who will serve as the engine room for the PDP’s resurgence,” he said.

Reaffirming the party’s commitment to generational equity, Gana called for deliberate steps to mainstream youth and women into key leadership roles and candidate positions for the 2027 elections.

“The PDP must open its doors wider for brilliant, energetic, and innovative young Nigerians. Their ideas and digital fluency are critical for nation-building in the 21st century,” he noted.

Gana outlined the PDP’s legacy of achievements—including debt relief, economic growth, and the establishment of key national institutions such as the EFCC, ICPC, NHIS, and TETFund—as proof of the party’s capacity to govern.

He also hinted at the launch of a new, solutions-driven manifesto anchored on six strategic pillars: good governance, security, economic revival, infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, and education and healthcare reform.
“We Shall Rise Again”

Gana concluded with an impassioned pledge to party members and Nigerians, assuring them of a renewed and reformed PDP, ready to lead Nigeria into a brighter future.

“Hope is not lost. The PDP is rising again—reformed, responsive, and ready. We shall not rest until Nigeria is rescued, until security is restored, until schools and hospitals work, and until our democracy thrives. We shall rise again and triumph, triumphantly,” he said.

He closed with a rousing affirmation: “God bless the Peoples Democratic Party. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The PDP NEC meeting is expected to be held on Thursday, with critical decisions on party leadership and 2027 electoral strategy on the agenda.