The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Saturday zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to southern Nigeria for a single four-year term.
The move is expected to strengthen the presidential ambition of former Anambra State governor, Peteroo Obi.
The decision was reached during the party’s National Convention in Abuja, where delegates adopted a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Afam Ogene.
Announcing the resolution, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the arrangement formed part of the party’s broader power-sharing formula aimed at balancing regional interests within the opposition coalition.
He added that after the proposed single four-year term for the South, the presidential ticket would automatically return to the North in 2031.
“It will be the turn of the North in 2031,” Cleopas announced.
The National Executive Committee also ratified the election of members of the party’s National Working Committee during the convention.
The development is expected to clear the way for Obi and other southern aspirants to purchase and process the party’s presidential nomination forms ahead of the 2027 polls.
The zoning decision comes amid heightened political realignments ahead of the elections, with opposition figures seeking a united platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The move also comes one week after Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, formally joined the NDC at the convention, urging party members to avoid internal crises and focus on rebuilding Nigeria.
Addressing delegates and supporters, Kwankwaso threw his weight behind the zoning arrangement, describing it as consistent with equity and the party’s internal agreement.
He said, “Since we joined this party, the NDC has continued to attract quality members and supporters. What began as a bold movement is steadily becoming a formidable platform for national renewal.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The world is undergoing a profound political shift, yet our nation has been caught unprepared, largely because of poor leadership. Instead of positioning Nigeria to seize emerging opportunities, bad governance has left us bearing the brunt of global changes.
“We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. As a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC so that it allows the region to complete its task in producing national leadership.”
Obi, in his address, praised the NDC leadership for insisting on sustaining multi-party democracy in Nigeria, expressing optimism that the 2027 elections would be free and credible.
“I thank the leaders of the NDC for insisting that we can’t have a one-party system in Nigeria. Nigeria must have democracy, and we insist that those who think we wouldn’t have a free and fair election in 2027 should have a rethink now,” he said.
“In 2027, we are going to have a free, fair and credible election. Today in Nigeria, over 140 million Nigerians are languishing in multidimensional poverty. Over 80 million Nigerian youth are unemployed or underemployed. Since the beginning of this month, we lost over 100 Nigerians.
“Mothers are no longer sure their children who left for school will return. Every Nigerian today is worried about where the next meal will come from. Nigeria is now among the hungriest countries in the world and among the most insecure countries in the world. I can go on and on.
“We want Nigerians to love each other. That is why people think we are changing parties. Let me assure you that we are not changing parties for transactions. We are changing because we want to have a platform and the opportunity to build a new Nigeria that is possible. This is a sign we need to rebrand Nigeria,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate also charged supporters to mobilise ahead of the elections and reject leaders involved in alleged wrongdoing.
“Let us go home and start the work. The work starts today. The work is to ensure we chase out people who are making our country miserable, all those who agree that you can forge certificates and that doing the wrong thing is right. They are the people we want to chase out,” Obi stated.
Also speaking, the National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, assured members that the party was free of factional crisis and litigation.
“The NDC is a brand new party with no crisis or pending litigation. You will recall that our collective goal is to build an opposition platform that will rekindle the flame of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
“The opposition is heavily compromised and intimidated. While it has done what is right, we equally urge INEC to ensure that other opposition parties receive fair treatment.
“The NDC has come to stay. It is good to go. The NDC has no faction and pending cases,” he said.
Saturday’s convention also caused heavy traffic congestion around Ahmadu Bello Way and adjoining roads in Abuja as thousands of party supporters and delegates thronged the venue.
Supporters of the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient movements were seen chanting solidarity songs and celebrating around the convention ground, while traders occupied road medians and open spaces to sell items to attendees.
Security operatives were later deployed to the area to manage the crowd and ease traffic in the Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory.