ABUJA – Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made a grave mistake by fielding a northern candidate in the 2023 presidential election, a decision he believes contributed to the party’s defeat.
He defended the party’s resolve to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Moro made the remarks on Tuesday night during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, where he spoke on zoning, reconciliation efforts within the PDP, and ongoing conversations with potential aspirants including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The majority of us, virtually all of us, have now agreed that it was a mistake to field a northern candidate in 2023. In the spirit of unity, fairness and justice, PDP leaders decided to take the ticket to the South, where many people expected it would have been. Fielding Atiku was an error for the PDP in 2023,” Moro said.
The Senate Minority Leader stressed that while Nigeria’s constitution allows every citizen to aspire to any political office, internal party arrangements like zoning remain necessary to maintain balance and fairness.
“The PDP constitution itself recognises zoning. Zoning does not preclude anybody from contesting, but it ensures fairness. Remember, even in 1999, northern aspirants still contested against Obasanjo despite zoning to the South,” he explained.
On future candidates, Moro revealed that individuals within the PDP are in discussions with Peter Obi about returning to the party ahead of 2027.
“Ahead of 2027, I am aware that certain individuals have been talking to Peter Obi, urging him to return. If he comes back and emerges as the most supported candidate, there is almost an assurance that the PDP will make an impact in the election,” he said.
When asked if he was part of such conversations, he responded: “Yes, I am. But the PDP is a big brand with other credible aspirants. Former President Goodluck Jonathan is also being spoken to, and he remains a credible candidate.”
Moro dismissed concerns about the constitutionality of Jonathan’s possible return, citing past precedents.
“In 2015, when Jonathan ran, the courts ruled that he was qualified. By the law, Jonathan has not served two full terms, so he would not be disqualified,” he noted.
He also confirmed that other PDP governors and stakeholders from the South are under consideration, insisting that members will eventually choose the candidate most capable of challenging the APC in 2027.
Responding to criticisms that the National Executive Committee’s zoning decision was unconstitutional and potentially favourable to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, Moro maintained that zoning is the right move for the party at this time.
“Those now criticising zoning are the same people who criticised us for throwing the ticket open in 2023. At this moment, zoning to the South is the best decision,” he argued.
On the controversy over the role of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Moro downplayed talk of sanctions, saying reconciliation should be prioritised.
“Why is it always about Wike? The G5 governors, including Ortom, Makinde, Ikpeazu, and Ugwuanyi, also went against the party. Making Wike the issue is an unnecessary distraction. If we want to move forward towards 2027, unity should be the priority,” he said.
Asked about funding challenges with oil-rich PDP strongholds now under APC control, Moro insisted that money alone does not win elections.
“Even when those states were with us, we still lost the election. Politics is not always about money. Other important factors are more decisive,” he said.