NDC’s One-Term Southern Zoning for the 2027 Presidency Sparks Praise and Criticism

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, John Alechenu & Luminous Jannamike

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that it will zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, with a return to the North in 2031. The move has sparked a range of reactions from political actors across the country.

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The decision follows the recent defections of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC. Both politicians are being considered for the party’s presidential and vice‑presidential nominations, a combination that supporters say could challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.

Reactions to the zoning arrangement came from several figures, including Chief Chekwas Okorie, founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); former presidential adviser Akin Osuntokun; the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF); former presidential candidate Chief Peter Ameh; PDP National Auditor Chief Okechukwu Osuoha; and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, SAN.

It’s a masterstroke — Okorie

Chief Chekwas Okorie, the founding National Chairman of APGA, described the NDC’s zoning plan as a masterstroke. He expressed confidence that the party could upset the 2027 presidential race if it proceeds with Peter Obi as the candidate and Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.

Speaking on a telephone interview with Vanguard in Abuja, Okorie said the NDC’s zoning strategy was “the right thing to do” and could win the party the “big prize,” provided it fully implements an Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.

He noted that the two political heavyweights had left the ADC, which had been mired in court cases, and that the party’s focus had shifted to Obi. “There is no national party in Nigeria that was prepared to give an Igbo man its presidential ticket because the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, is skewed in a way to deny an Igbo man a fair chance to compete for the presidency,” Okorie said.

He added that the Constitution’s provision for equal state representation at a national convention, combined with ethnic and religious dynamics, makes such a zoning arrangement significant. “Nigeria was carved into 774 Local Government Areas by the military. The North West alone has 188 LGAs; the South East has 95 LGAs,” he explained.

Okorie further argued that Obi’s nationwide popularity, coupled with Kwankwaso’s northern influence, would give the ticket a strong start, while Kwankwaso would be better positioned to contest in 2031 when power is expected to rotate back to the North.

Atiku’s entry may threaten Obi’s chances — Osuntokun

Former presidential adviser to ex‑President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akin Osuntokun, said the zoning arrangement may not guarantee victory but would promote national integration and political development. He cautioned that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s potential entry into the race could weaken an Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.

“I do not know whether it will guarantee victory for them, but it is good for national integration and the political development of Nigeria because Rabiu Kwankwaso is a political heavyweight in the North,” Osuntokun said.

He added that the “big elephant in the room” is Atiku’s decision, who has positioned himself as the northern candidate. “If Atiku eventually emerges as the northern candidate, it diminishes the utility of Kwankwaso and significantly weakens the chances of an Obi/Kwankwaso ticket winning the election,” he warned.

It’s political scam — Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, dismissed the NDC’s zoning plan as a political gimmick. Speaking with Vanguard on Sunday, Keyamo called the move “political 419” and questioned its credibility.

He said, “The decision of the NDC is an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians. It is nothing but political 419.”

Keyamo raised concerns about the arrangement’s enforceability, noting that the party leadership could reverse the decision at any time. “What happens if Peter Obi changes party after winning? Or if, as leader of the NDC, he gets the NEC to reverse the decision? This is a joke taken too far,” he said.

It’s commendable — Ameh

Chief Peter Ameh, a former Labour Party member and NDC chieftain, praised the party’s decision to zone the presidential ticket to the South. In an interview with Vanguard, he described the move as realistic and in line with Nigeria’s political realities.

“The NDC has done the right thing by zoning the 2027 ticket to the South. This aligns with the political mood of the nation. It remains the South’s turn until 2031, when power should return to the North,” Ameh said.

He added that discussions about a running mate were premature, as the party had yet to select a presidential candidate. “We are yet to produce our presidential candidate. Let us do that first,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to let the disappointments of the 2023 elections discourage them from participating in the 2027 polls, warning that voter apathy could create room for electoral manipulation. “The only way we can make our votes count is to come out on election day, vote, and ensure that our votes are counted, recorded, uploaded and announced,” he added.

Let all parties zone 2027 presidency to South — SMBLF

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) supported the NDC’s stance and called on all political parties to zone their 2027 presidential tickets to the South, citing justice and equity. Luka