The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to implement a major shake-up of its leadership structure, effectively ending the dominance of long-standing figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as the party considers state-level rotation of top offices within its National Working Committee (NWC).

A high-level committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has recommended that while each geopolitical zone retains its allocated positions, no individual state will hold onto any current post. This move, insiders say, is designed to foster equity and inject new energy ahead of the 2027 elections.

If adopted, the new arrangement will bar key players including Acting National Chairman Illya Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu from returning to their current offices at the August national convention.

The committee’s recommendations, which will be tabled at the June 30 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, are already stirring political recalculations. Damagum is said to be weighing a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to pursue the 2027 Yobe State governorship, reportedly encouraged by his ally, Governor Mai Mala Buni

But a party source warned: “Even if he defects, he will be blocked by Wike, who remains a powerful voice in the APC.”

More significantly, the zoning rethink is fuelling momentum for a southern presidential candidate in 2027.

A senior PDP official told reporters “To be honest, the Atiku era is over. The mood of the party and the country is clearly in favour of the South, especially the South-East.”