The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State is currently engulfed in a growing crisis as party stakeholders from the South Senatorial District rise in strong protest, demanding that the coveted position of the state party chairman be zoned to their region. This demand, they say, stems from years of political marginalisation and systematic exclusion, despite their consistent loyalty and record of delivering the highest number of votes for the party during elections.
Sources within the party confirmed that tension has been simmering for weeks, but the issue reached a boiling point after a recent party caucus meeting failed to address what many from the South see as a glaring injustice. Party elders and youth leaders from the South have argued that, in the spirit of equity, fairness, and inclusiveness, the chairmanship should rotate among the three senatorial districts — North, Central, and South — and that it is long overdue for the South to take the mantle.
A prominent party chieftain from the South who spoke under anonymity said, “We have remained committed to the PDP through thick and thin. In the last general elections, we delivered the highest number of votes for the party. Yet, when it’s time for internal leadership positioning, the South is always sidelined. Enough is enough.”
Several grassroots mobilizers and ward coordinators from Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Ese-Odo LGAs have begun consultations and meetings, insisting that any attempt to retain the chairmanship outside the South would be met with stiff resistance, including potential mass defection to rival parties. They argue that the current internal structure of the party reflects deep-seated imbalances that must be addressed ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The crisis comes at a time when the PDP is trying to consolidate its structure statewide in preparation for the 2025 governorship election in Ondo. Analysts warn that if the zoning issue is not resolved amicably, the party risks entering the election season fractured, which may cost it dearly at the polls.
While the state party leadership is yet to make an official statement, insiders suggest that high-level consultations are ongoing to prevent a total breakdown of internal cohesion. Some party leaders have reportedly proposed a zoning committee to review the situation and recommend a fair course of action.
However, the South stakeholders are not backing down. In a statement released after their zonal meeting, they declared: “Zoning the chairmanship to the South is not just a matter of fairness; it is a political necessity for the survival of the PDP in Ondo State.”
As the drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the PDP national leadership, whose intervention may be required to douse the flames and ensure that the Ondo State chapter does not implode under the weight of its own contradictions.