The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially zoned its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election to the southern region of the country, a decision expected to reshape the political calculations ahead of the next presidential race.
The resolution was reached during the party’s National Convention after delegates overwhelmingly approved a motion seeking the rotation of the presidency between the South and the North.
The motion was moved by Afam Victor Ogene, the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives, and received the backing of party delegates at the convention.
According to the resolution adopted by the party, the NDC presidential ticket for the 2027 election will be reserved exclusively for aspirants from Southern Nigeria, while the eventual candidate, if elected president, is expected to serve only a single four-year term.
The party further resolved that after the completion of the four-year tenure, the presidential ticket would automatically return to the northern region in line with the party’s power rotation arrangement aimed at promoting equity, inclusion, and national balance.
The development is widely seen as a major political boost for former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, who recently joined the NDC after leaving his former political platform.
With the zoning arrangement now settled, Obi and other southern aspirants are expected to formally purchase the party’s presidential nomination forms ahead of the party primaries.
Political observers believe the decision may strengthen Obi’s chances within the party, considering his growing support base across several parts of the country, especially among young voters and urban populations.
Also expected to play a key role in the party’s emerging political structure is former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who also recently defected to the NDC.
Although the party is yet to officially confirm who may eventually emerge as its presidential candidate, insiders say consultations are already ongoing among major stakeholders to build a formidable opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
The convention witnessed the presence of party leaders, delegates, youth groups, and supporters from across the federation, with many describing the zoning decision as a strategic move capable of stabilizing the party and preventing internal divisions before the primaries.
Supporters of the arrangement argued that rotational presidency remains one of the most effective ways of ensuring fairness and maintaining national unity in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic political system.
However, the decision is also expected to generate debate within political circles, particularly among northern stakeholders who may feel excluded from contesting the party’s ticket in 2027.
Despite possible concerns, party leaders insisted that the arrangement was reached after extensive consultations and was designed to strengthen internal democracy while giving every region a sense of belonging.
The NDC convention comes amid increasing political realignments across the country, with several politicians already positioning themselves and forming alliances ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election.
With the South now officially favored for the party’s ticket, attention is likely to shift to the battle for the NDC nomination, where prominent southern politicians are expected to test their popularity and influence within the party in the coming months.