The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has resolved to zone its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election to the southern region of the country, as part of its internal power-sharing arrangement.
The decision was reached on Saturday, May 9, during the party’s national convention held in Abuja, where delegates adopted a motion moved by Afam Victor and seconded by Seyi Sowumi.
Party leaders also agreed that the 2031 presidential slot would be reserved for the northern region, reinforcing a rotation strategy aimed at balancing political representation between both regions.
In addition to the zoning decision, the convention ratified all members of the party’s National Executive Committee following a motion presented by Victor Umeh, the senator representing Anambra Central.
The party later confirmed the development in a statement shared on its official X platform, declaring, “NDC Presidential ticket is zoned to the South!!”
The move is widely seen as strengthening the prospects of key southern political figures within the party, particularly former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
The convention drew prominent figures within the party, including Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, both of whom recently joined the NDC.
According to the convention agenda made available to journalists, discussions also covered amendments to the party’s constitution and the election of national officers.
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The NDC has, in recent weeks, experienced a surge in defections from other political parties, notably the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Earlier in the week, 17 members of the House of Representatives formally defected from the ADC to the NDC during plenary.
The lawmakers include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.
Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.
The wave of defections followed the high-profile entry of Obi and Kwankwaso into the party from the ADC.
Both politicians, who were presidential candidates in the 2023 elections under different platforms, were formally admitted into the NDC on Sunday after a closed-door meeting with party leaders.
They were received by former Bayelsa State Governor and NDC national leader, Seriake Dickson, who presented them with membership cards.
Obi had attributed his departure from the ADC to internal disputes, alleged external interference, and growing tensions within the party structure, which he said made his continued stay untenable.