Former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has declared his support for a southern candidate in the 2027 presidential election, stressing the need for equity and fairness in Nigeria’s leadership rotation.
Speaking on Tuesday during a condolence visit to Senator Rowland Owie over the death of his wife, Lady Helen Owie, Igbinedion said he remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its ideals but stressed that justice demands the South should produce the next president.
His words: “I have always been in the PDP since 1998, and I am not contemplating leaving.
“But one thing for sure is that I believe in equity, and that equity means it is the turn of a southerner to be president. After that, in 2031, it will now be the turn of the north.”
He also addressed ongoing discussions around forming a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, noting that any credible southern candidate from the PDP would earn his support.
Responding to concerns over the wave of defections hitting the PDP, the former governor was optimistic, describing party-switching as typical behaviour among Nigerian politicians.
He said: “I don’t worry so much about the defections because I know Nigerian politicians — they swing from one side to the other.
“If anything happens tomorrow, you’ll see those people that defected coming back to the PDP. The APC is having its turn now, but they will be deflated sooner or later.”
He added that whether the PDP reclaims dominance or a new party emerges is a question only time and God can answer.
On the reason for his visit, Igbinedion described Senator Owie as a long-time ally and paid tribute to the senator’s late wife.
