The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria free for a single four year term, a move that strongly favours former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and other southern contenders ahead of the next general election.
The decision was unanimously adopted during the party’s maiden National Convention held at the Los Angeles Event Centre in Abuja, where delegates backed a power rotation formula designed to return the presidency to the North in 2031 after one term in the South.
The motion was presented by Victor Ogene, the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, and received overwhelming support from party members and delegates at the convention.
Under the arrangement approved by the party, the vice presidential slot for the 2027 election has been reserved for Northern Nigeria, while the presidency will remain in the South for only one four year tenure before rotating back North.
Explaining the reason behind the decision, Ogene said the zoning formula reflects the party’s commitment to fairness, equity, inclusion and national unity in a deeply divided political climate.
He stated that the move was not just a political calculation but also a moral stand aimed at reducing tensions surrounding Nigeria’s long standing power rotation debate.
According to him, the party believes balancing power between the North and South is necessary to strengthen national cohesion and maintain political stability across the country.
Delegates at the convention also fully endorsed the proposal that the NDC presidential ticket must leave the South after one term and return to the North in 2031.
Speaking during the convention, Peter Obi declared that the movement was determined to rescue Nigeria from poverty, insecurity and years of leadership failure.
Obi said the party was not being built for personal or transactional political interests but to create a genuine platform capable of transforming Nigeria.
He stressed that the goal of the NDC is to build what he described as “a new Nigeria that is possible.”
The former Labour Party presidential candidate also warned against attempts to destroy opposition politics in the country, accusing some beneficiaries of democracy of undermining democratic values.
Obi insisted that Nigeria must never become a one party state and vowed that opposition forces would resist any attempt to weaken democracy before the 2027 election.
He also promised that the party would fight for free, fair and credible elections.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s biggest problem is not lack of natural or human resources but poor leadership and weak governance.
He argued that the country has been pushed deeper into poverty because of bad leadership decisions over the years.
Obi added that the NDC plans to focus on rebuilding security, restoring public trust and turning Nigeria into a production driven economy capable of creating jobs and improving living standards.
Also speaking at the convention, former NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso openly backed the zoning arrangement, describing it as a courageous move that could promote inclusion, healing and genuine nation building.
Kwankwaso said supporting a southern candidate in 2027 would help strengthen fairness and national unity at a time when many Nigerians feel excluded from governance.
He also raised concerns over worsening insecurity and economic hardship across the country, blaming poor governance for rising poverty, displacement of citizens and loss of investor confidence.
Political observers have continued to speculate that Kwankwaso could emerge as Peter Obi’s running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State governor and NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson accused the ruling party of intimidating opposition parties and weakening democratic space in Nigeria.
Dickson claimed that opposition politics in the country has become heavily compromised, restricted and pressured by those in power.
Despite the challenges, he maintained that the NDC would not be intimidated and would continue to position itself as a serious alternative ahead of 2027.
He also revealed that the party successfully secured registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, earlier this year after overcoming several legal and administrative obstacles.
Earlier in the event, NDC National Chairman Moses Cleopas described the convention as a major turning point for the party and for Nigeria’s political future.
Cleopas said Nigeria is currently facing a critical moment and insisted that the NDC is preparing to offer credible leadership, responsible governance and a fresh direction for the country.
The convention ended with delegates reaffirming their commitment to democratic competition, national unity and rebuilding public confidence in governance as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
