PDP Needs Southern Christian Candidate for 2027 – Gov Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will field a Christian presidential candidate from the South in 2027, as part of efforts to reflect Nigeria’s diversity and avoid the controversy generated by the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Mohammed clarified that although the PDP has yet to pick an individual, the party has resolved to zone its ticket to the South.

“We need a Christian from the South to emerge as a presidential candidate, so that he will lead the majority of Christian southerners and pair with a Muslim vice president from the North,” he explained.

He dismissed speculation that he was positioning himself as a running mate to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, insisting that the choice of vice president rests with the eventual presidential candidate.

“I am not withdrawing because I want to prepare myself for the vice presidency,” he said. “If I’m chosen, I’ll accept, but if not, I will support whoever emerges.”

TIMES OF NIGERIA understands that Mohammed also referenced his past experience working with a president as FCT Minister, noting that the vice president’s selection must be at the discretion of the candidate.

The governor emphasised that the PDP would not repeat APC’s 2023 decision, which he argued “did not take into cognisance our diversity and people’s feelings.”