By: Comr. Mark Chigozie Odom
In the just-concluded ADC Presidential Primaries, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar demonstrated clear national spread, but one region in particular stood out in Southern Nigeria: the South East. According to the official results, Atiku secured 171,030 votes from the South East — significantly higher than the 135,431 votes from the South West and the 63,407 votes from the South South.
South East Breakdown (Atiku Votes)
•Anambra: 58,566
•Imo: 52,222
•Enugu: 33,879
•Abia: 25,153
•Ebonyi: 1,210 Total: 171,030
This made the South East Atiku’s strongest zone in the entire South — delivering more votes than any other southern geopolitical zone. The region’s delegates showed remarkable commitment to his candidacy despite competing regional loyalties and the strong performance of other candidates like Rotimi Amaechi (who picked up several states across the South).
Why the South East Deserves the Vice Presidential Slot:
Electoral Gratitude and Reward for Performance. Political partnerships thrive on reciprocity. The South East delivered Atiku’s highest southern haul in the primaries. Selecting a running mate from this zone would be a direct acknowledgment of that loyalty and a strategic move to consolidate and expand that support heading into the general election.
Geopolitical Balance and National Cohesion. Nigeria’s political tradition, especially in presidential tickets, has long emphasized balancing power across major regions. With Atiku (a Northerner) at the top of the ticket, pairing him with a credible South Easterner would create a strong North-South bridge. The South East remains one of the few zones that has not produced a president or vice president in the Fourth Republic. This presents ADC with a historic opportunity to address long-standing feelings of marginalization while strengthening national unity.
Demographic and Electoral Weight. The South East is a densely populated, economically vibrant region with significant voting power and diaspora influence. An Igbo running mate would energize turnout not just in the five South Eastern states but also among Igbo communities in Lagos, Rivers, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory. This is particularly important in a multi-ethnic country where symbolic inclusion often translates into higher voter mobilization.
Strategic Counter to Opponents. Other major parties are likely to field southern candidates or appeal to southern sentiments. A South East running mate positions the ADC ticket as the most inclusive and representative option — one that genuinely respects the contributions of all zones rather than taking any for granted. It also neutralizes narratives of regional exclusion that have historically affected national politics.
Party-Building and Future Prospects.
Elevating a South Eastern leader to the vice presidential ticket would deepen ADC’s roots in the region and potentially create a lasting political realignment. It signals that the party rewards performance and loyalty, encouraging other zones to invest heavily in future contests.
Moreover, if the election goes into a run off between the ADC and APC only, a South East running mate for Atiku will ensure Atiku sweeps the entire South East in the run off election, plus 70% of the South South region which has majority Igbo population.
Even without a run off, a South East running mate for Atiku will ensure Atiku secures the needed spread by motivating atleast 25% across the South East, up to 70% of the South South which has a huge Igbo population, Lagos, parts of Christian North central which has a huge Igbo population too. Across Nigeria, the Igbos has the highest population after the indigenous people of every state, and a South East running mate for Atiku would appeal to the sentiments of this demography in favour of Atiku.
