JUST IN: NDC Hands Southern Nigeria Presidential Ticket For 2027 Election

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region of the country, a decision that clears the path for former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and other southern aspirants to contest under the party’s platform. The resolution was adopted at the party’s national convention on Saturday after a motion moved by Representative Afam Victor Ogene of Anambra’s Ogbaru constituency, with delegates approving the measure without dissent.

Under the arrangement, the southern region gets the ticket exclusively for the 2027 election cycle, but the party has stipulated that the ticket will automatically shift back to the North once that four-year term concludes. A leading figure in the NDC and close ally of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, confirmed the party’s position in an interview, declaring, “No missing words, we have zoned it to the South. Therefore, whoever from the South who is interested should go and register quickly”.

Top political figures were present at the national convention in Abuja as the decision was announced, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, both of whom formally joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress two days earlier . For Obi, who ran as the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, the zoning resolution removes what many considered the biggest structural hurdle to securing the NDC’s nomination.

However, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Honourable Abdulmumin Abdusalam, has cautioned against premature conclusions about candidate endorsements. In a statement addressing the zoning reports, Abdusalam explained that the party has not made any final decision on endorsement of specific candidates. “Politics is dynamic. We have not zoned the presidency to the South or endorsed former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Consultations are ongoing and all scenarios are possible,” Abdusalam stated.

Party leaders have framed the zoning deal as a balance between regional equity and political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections. Critics inside the party have indicated they will watch whether the promised automatic handoff to the North holds once the race intensifies, but for now, southern aspirants have been given a clear window to pursue the party’s presidential ticket. Other southern political heavyweights are now expected to purchase and process nomination forms as the party prepares for its primaries following the submission of its updated membership register.