The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single four-year term, a decision that was adopted at the party’s maiden National Convention in Abuja.
The motion was moved by Afam Victor Ogene, the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Constituency of Anambra State in the 10th National Assembly, and was adopted by the delegates. It was also resolved that after the four-year single term, the presidential ticket will be automatically zoned to the North.
With this development, it has cleared the way for the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, and other southern aspirants to purchase the presidential form of the party.
A leading figure in the party and close ally of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, confirmed the zoning in an interview on Channels Television. “No missing words, we have zoned it to the South,” Galadima declared. “Therefore, whoever from the South who is interested should go and register quickly”.
Galadima said the party is concluding preparations for the submission of its updated membership register, which he stated would be forwarded between Tuesday and Wednesday. “The NDC will submit its register either on the 5th or 6th of this month. Once that is done, we are good to go,” he said.
The decision was reached during the party’s national convention after the motion moved by Afam Victor Ogene was adopted by delegates. The party also resolved that after the completion of the four-year tenure, the presidential ticket would automatically return to Northern Nigeria.
The development has paved the way for former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and other southern aspirants to purchase the party’s presidential nomination forms ahead of the 2027 election.
However, the party’s Deputy National Spokesman, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, earlier dismissed reports of zoning, saying consultations were still ongoing. “I can categorically tell you that we have not zoned the presidential ticket. Consultations are still ongoing since politics is a dynamic game,” Abdulsalam said in Abuja on Thursday.
Abdulsalam also reacted to reports that the NDC could be considering former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential flagbearer, describing the claims as speculation. “This is another rumour making the rounds that former President Jonathan wants to pitch his tent in our party. There is no concrete move like that in the hierarchy of our party, and such a decision has not been taken,” he said.
By officially reserving the ticket for the South, the NDC appears to be attempting to consolidate southern support, attract Obi’s political base, and avoid a damaging North-South internal battle before the primaries.
