The Nigeria Democratic Congress has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single four year term while the vice presidential slot has been allocated to the North. The resolution was reached during the maiden National Convention of the party held at the Los Angeles Event Centre in Abuja on Saturday. The development has cleared the way for the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and other southern aspirants to purchase the presidential nomination forms of the party.
The decision followed a motion moved by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Victor Ogene. The party further resolved that after the four year single term, the presidential ticket would automatically rotate to the North in 2031. Ogene explained that the zoning arrangement reflected the commitment of the party to justice, inclusiveness, and national stability.
In moving the motion, Ogene stated: “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.” He added that: “The decision was more than a political arrangement. It is a moral statement on national cohesion, intended to reduce tensions surrounding the nation’s long-running power rotation debate.’’
Delegates at the convention unanimously endorsed the proposal. The zoning arrangement was designed to promote equity, national balance, and political inclusion while giving both regions a clear sense of participation in the long term power sharing formula of the party.
In his remarks, Peter Obi stated that the movement is determined to rescue Nigeria from poverty, insecurity, and leadership failure. Obi said: “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 warned against attempts to weaken opposition politics and insisted that Nigeria must not become a one party state.
Obi remarked: “Today, in Nigeria, beneficiaries of democracy are becoming agents of the destruction of democracy.” He further stated: “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.” He added that the party would pursue policies aimed at transforming the country from a consumption based economy to a production driven economy. Obi stated: “Nigeria is not a poor country. It is a country rooted in poverty by poor leadership and governance. NDC would pursue policies aimed at transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven economy while restoring national security and public trust in governance.” He concluded: “We want a Nigeria where citizens are safe, whether in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Benue, Rivers or anywhere else in the country.”
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, also supported the arrangement. Kwankwaso said: “I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South in the interest of fairness, equity and national inclusion. This presents a true opportunity for national healing and genuine nation-building.” He noted that the country is passing through a difficult period, stating: “There has been a sharp decline in the quality of governance. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the country. Millions have been displaced from their homes while investments are fleeing.’’
The National Leader of the party, Senator Seriake Dickson, claimed that the opposition landscape is heavily compromised. Dickson said: “The Nigerian opposition landscape is heavily compromised, intimidated and constricted. This party had endured years of legal and administrative hurdles before eventually securing registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier this year. The Independent National Electoral Commission complied and issued us a certificate of registration in February this year.”
The National Chairman of the party, Senator Moses Cleopas, described the convention as a defining moment for the party. Cleopas said: “Nigeria stands today at a critical crossroads. In our nation, millions face economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and institutional distrust. The NDC is preparing itself to offer credible leadership and responsible governance.” He concluded by stating: “We are not assembling a crowd for elections, we are building a movement for governance.”
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