A southern faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the Wike-for-President 2027 (WFP2027) committee has recommended a list of national and zonal coordinators for the 2027 presidential campaign, while declining to endorse some party leaders, including Governor Seyi Makinde, whom they described as “turncoats.”
The emergency meeting of the WFP2027 Southern Zone committee, held on August 21, 2025, in a private session, focused on implementing directives from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for structuring the campaign from the national to state levels.
The agenda of the meeting included discussions on the so-called illegal zonal gathering of southern PDP leaders and the recommendation of national and zonal coordinators for the Wike-for-President 2027 campaign.
SaharaReporters learnt that those in attendance comprised Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, Hon. Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatius Nkem, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, and Hon. O. K. Chinda.
Other attendees included Sen. Igwe Nwagu, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, Sen. George Sekibo, Sen. Mike Ama Nnachi, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, and Barr. Mudi Erhenede.
According to the minutes of the meeting, tagged ‘top secret’, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, the committee recommended the following zonal coordinators:
Samuel Ortom for North Central, Ayo Fayose for South West, Okezie Ikpeazu for South East, and Chief Dan Orbih for South South.
The appointment of national and some northern zonal coordinators was left to Governor Wike, citing his knowledge of loyalists nationwide.
However, the committee explicitly ruled out certain leaders for key positions, including Hon. Bature, Ahmed Fintiri, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, labeling them “turncoats” who had allegedly abandoned the group.
The committee described Makinde’s “inordinate ambition” as a reason for his unreliability in the campaign structure.“
On the issue of WFP2027, members should recall that in our last meeting the leader (Wike) mandated this group to recommend a national structure beginning from the appointment of national and zonal coordinators who when appointed will recommend state coordinators accordingly,” it said.“
The meeting is reluctant to recommend Hon Bature and His Excellency Ahmed Fintiri for NW and NE respectively because they seem to be no longer with the group, in fact they have become turncoats therefore unreliable just like H.E. Makinde whose inordinate ambition has made him a turncoat too! How very unfortunate.“
For the appointments of the National coordinator and those of NW and NE, we believe that the leader because of his vast knowledge of his loyalists nationwide should appoint them.”
“The meeting therefore mandated the Chairman to present these to the leader,” it added.
The meeting also reaffirmed its opposition to a separate gathering of so-called southern PDP leaders held in Lagos, describing it as “illegal” and “self-serving,” and vowed to challenge any decisions from that forum in court if necessary.
Committee members emphasised that the recommendations aligned with Wike’s directive to establish a robust campaign structure, beginning with national and zonal coordinators who would, in turn, recommend state-level leaders.
The emergency session further praised Wike’s ongoing media engagements, noting that his visibility and work in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had positioned him as a “man of action” and a credible candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The Southern Zone committee concluded the meeting by mandating all members to support the presentation of the recommendations to Governor Wike and to maintain solidarity in advancing his 2027 campaign agenda.
