The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria for a single four-year tenure.
This was disclosed during the party’s inaugural national convention on Saturday in Abuja following a motion introduced by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Afam Victor Ogene.
Convention delegates overwhelmingly supported the proposal that the NDC presidential ticket should be retained in the South for only one four-year tenure starting from 2027.
The announcement which generated jubilation among delegates at the convention ground, was described by many as a calculated attempt to pave he way for former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and other southern contenders to seek the party’s presidential nomination.
effort to galvanise support from the southern region ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Addressing the convention, Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate, declared that the movement was focused on lifting Nigeria out of poverty, insecurity, and leadership failure.
“We are not changing political platforms for transactional reasons.
“We are making a principled decision to find a platform that gives us the opportunity to build a new Nigeria that is possible,” he stated.
He cautioned against moves to weaken opposition politics in the country and turn Nigeria into a one-party state by the same people who once benefited from democracy.
“Today in Nigeria, beneficiaries of democracy are becoming agents of the destruction of democracy,” he said.
“We must insist that Nigeria cannot become a one-party state. Nigeria must remain a democracy and we are determined that in 2027 there will be free, fair, and credible elections.”
Going further, Obi decried the economic woes and security challenges across the country, saying over 140 million Nigerians currently live in multidimensional poverty, with millions of youths unemployed.
“Nigeria is not a poor country; it is a country trapped in poverty by poor leadership and governance,” he declared.
He assured that the NDC would pursue policies aimed at transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven economy, restoring national security, and rebuilding public trust in governance.
“We want a Nigeria where citizens are safe whether in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Benue, Rivers, or anywhere else in the country,” Obi added.
In his remarks, former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, expressed full support for the decision to zone the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South, saying the move reflected the party’s power-sharing arrangement and commitment to fairness.
Addressing delegates, supporters, and party stakeholders, he said, “I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket to the South so that the region can complete its eight years.
“This is in line with the zoning process and party agreement,” he added, while urging Nigerians and party supporters to participate in the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
