The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern region, a move widely seen as strengthening the chances of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, ahead of the next general election.
The decision was announced during the party’s national convention held in Abuja on Saturday, with several top political figures and party stakeholders in attendance.
The party also confirmed the development in a post shared on its official X handle, stating, “NDC Presidential ticket is zoned to the South.”
However, contrary to some online claims, there was no official confirmation from the party that the presidential ticket was specifically reserved for a single term. Available reports and convention discussions only confirmed the zoning of the ticket to the South, without any formal declaration on tenure limitation.
Political observers say the zoning arrangement could significantly shape the internal contest within the party, especially following the recent defection of Peter Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the NDC.
The convention featured discussions on zoning arrangements, ratification of amendments to the party constitution, and the election of national executives.
In recent weeks, the NDC has witnessed a wave of defections from other political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Earlier this week, 17 members of the House of Representatives 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 defections came shortly after Obi and Kwankwaso formally joined the NDC following their exit from the ADC.
Obi had cited internal crises, external interference and growing hostility within party structures as reasons for leaving the ADC, which he joined after departing the Labour Party.
