NDC Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to Southern Nigeria
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.
The decision was reached during the party’s national convention held in Abuja on Saturday.
Announcing the development on its official social media handle, the party stated: “NDC presidential ticket is zoned to the South!!”
The party also disclosed that the presidential ticket would be for a single four-year term, while the 2031 presidential ticket had been allocated to Northern Nigeria.
The development comes as key figures within the party, including Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other stakeholders, gather in Abuja for the national convention.
The convention is expected to ratify several recent decisions taken by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
According to the agenda made available to journalists, issues slated for deliberation include zoning arrangements, ratification of the amended party constitution, and the election of national officers.
The NDC has recently witnessed an influx of politicians defecting from other political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On Tuesday, no fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives defected from the ADC to the NDC.
Their defections were formally announced during plenary at the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers who joined the NDC 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 barely two days after Mr. Obi and Senator Kwankwaso formally joined the party from the ADC.
Mr. Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Senator Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), received their NDC membership cards last Sunday amid cheers from supporters, shortly after a closed-door meeting with party leaders.
The two opposition figures were formally welcomed into the NDC by former Bayelsa State Governor and party leader, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Mr. Obi had cited worsening political conditions, characterised by internal crises, external interference, and growing hostility within party structures, as reasons for leaving the ADC, which he joined after departing the Labour Party in December 2025.
The former Anambra State governor described Nigeria’s political environment as increasingly toxic, marked by intimidation, insecurity, and persistent scrutiny.
He lamented that institutions meant to protect citizens often work against them, while individuals committed to genuine public service continue to face mounting pressure both publicly and privately.
