Olushola Omogbehin
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, loyalists of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and ex-Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have called on the opposition to adopt a Southern presidential candidate.
But opposition parties such as the New Nigeria People’s Party, African Democratic Congress and the Social Democratic Party, do not believe that presidential ticket should be zoned to the North or the South.
This was revealed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi. He said the party was not committed to zoning, but to the electoral viability of the contestants.
The call for a southern candidate came up after a high-profile political gathering in Ibadan, where stakeholders across party lines reportedly looked for the possibility of forming a united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress comes 2027.
Attended by key political players like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Kwankwaso, the meeting agreed to work toward presenting a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu.
The decision has since sparked debate within political circles, including the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, calling for the need to respect Nigeria’s informal zoning arrangement in the interest of fairness and national balance.
According to Tanko, the demand for a southern presidential ticket is about equity and continuity.
He said Obi aligning with opposition, indicated a willingness to serve only a single four-year term after Tinubu from the same south
“Yes, we are concerned about the zoning. That was why we’ve been asking the ADC to zone the presidency to the southern part of this country, considering the simple fact that the Presidency has been zoned to the south.
“As you speak right now, what we have is a southern presidency. So, once you have a southern president, it simply means that even if there is going to be a replacement for the existing president, it should come from the South for them to complete their tenure.
“I think it is only fair to do that. And that was why Mr Peter Obi has also agreed that he’s going to do only four years.”
Tanko further expressed confidence that Obi would emerge as the consensus candidate if the opposition settles for a unified.
“That is because he’s the most popular candidate in the country at the moment. I’m being humble about it, and I thank God for it. He’s the most popular, especially among the youth. Anywhere he goes, he is adored.
“Let me give you an instance. We were on our way to Ibadan the other day, and we passed through the international and local airports. You need to see the kind of love and euphoria people showered on him. It was amazing.
“The whole hall was agog with Nigerians shouting ‘Obi, Obi, Obi.’ It was so emotional for him and for some of us who are following him. So that is to tell you the kind of love and support Nigerians are ready to give this man,” he said.
