Political leaders from Nigeria’s North Central region have rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to zone the 2027 presidency to the South, saying the region will no longer tolerate being marginalised.
They also dismissed the zoning arrangement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that any party that fails to field a candidate from the North Central should not expect support from the zone.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, August 26, Chairperson of the North Central Renaissance Movement, Professor K’tso Nghargbu, said the PDP’s move amounted to deliberate exclusion of the region, which he noted has never produced a civilian president or vice president since independence.
He explained that the North Central has remained patient for decades, relying on “intellectual activism” instead of violence or sabotage, yet has been consistently ignored in the nation’s power sharing.
“Any political party that is not willing to zone the presidency to the North—and particularly to the North Central—may not and will not have the votes of our people,” Nghargbu said.
According to him, other regions have resorted to damaging national assets or armed struggle to gain political recognition, while the North Central has taken a peaceful approach. “Ours will continually remain intellectual activism,” he stated.
Describing the zone as the country’s most strategic region, Nghargbu said it represents a “miniature Nigeria” that embodies the nation’s ethnic diversity and has the capacity to stabilise a divided country.
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“At a time when Nigeria is bleeding and national trust between northern and southern elites is dwindling, the logical and wise choice is to seek a bridge builder. The North Central is that bridge builder,” he said.
He highlighted the zone’s contributions to national growth, citing its role as the food basket of the nation, its mineral wealth and its human capital capable of uniting the country.
On the PDP’s claim that power would return to the North after four years in the South, Nghargbu argued it was unrealistic.
“The truth is simple: once PDP gets power, it will not stop at four years. Nigerians know this. We have seen it happen before, and it will happen again,” he maintained.
The stakeholders also spoke against “recycled leadership,” stressing that Nigerians, particularly the youth, are yearning for fresh leaders and new ideas.
“Our agitation is not about North versus South. It is about equity, justice and good governance. The North Central is the only zone yet to be tested, and we insist it is time to be given the chance,” he declared.
Nghargbu further described the region as the “referee” in Nigeria’s political contest and warned that any party that sidelines it should not expect electoral support in 2027.