NDC Zones Presidency to the South, Kwankwaso Backs Decision

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has made a significant political maneuver, formally zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria. This landmark decision, adopted unanimously at the party's National Convention in Abuja, paves the way for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to secure the nomination for a single four-year term. The party's leadership framed this move as a strategic effort to foster equity, national cohesion, and political stability, with the presidency set to return to Northern Nigeria in 2031.

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In recognition of our country’s diversity and the need for balance, the party has resolved that the presidency shall rotate to the South in 2027 for a single term and subsequently return to the North in 2031.

This zoning arrangement has garnered support from prominent figures, including former Kano State Governor Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who lauded the resolution as a testament to the party's commitment to fairness. The motion, introduced by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, emphasized that the decision was not merely political but a moral statement aimed at reducing tensions surrounding Nigeria's persistent debate on power rotation. The NDC's stance is that this balanced leadership approach is crucial for national unity.

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We are not changing political platforms for transactional reasons. We are making a principled decision to find a platform that allows us to build a new Nigeria that is possible.

However, leaders from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, have downplayed the significance of the NDC's zoning decision. They asserted that neither the NDC nor the African Democratic Congress (ADC) pose a substantial threat to the APC's prospects in the 2027 general elections. ThisDay, as a Nigerian publication, understands the deep-seated importance of zoning in Nigerian politics, often seen as a necessary, albeit sometimes contentious, mechanism for managing regional and ethnic aspirations within the complex political landscape. While Western media might focus on the horse-race aspect of presidential ambitions, for Nigerians, zoning is intrinsically linked to fairness, representation, and the delicate balance of power that underpins national stability.

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We must insist that Nigeria cannot become a one-party state. Nigeria must remain a democracy, and we are determined that in 2027 we will have free, fa