The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria, but for a single four-year term.
The zoning arrangement has put an end to months of backroom jostling inside the NDC over where the party should field its presidential flag bearer.
The move is seen as having positioned Mr. Peter Obi and some other southern aspirants directly in play.
The Party’s decision followed a motion to that effect that was ably moved by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Afam Victor Ogene at its national convention which held on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Delegates adopted the motion without a dissenting voice.
Under the arrangement, the South gets the ticket for 2027 only and once the four-year term ends, the ticket is expected to automatically move to the North.
Interestingly, the arrangement adopted by the convention which has locked the North into a wait-and-hold position, has effectively cleared the runway for southern heavyweights to move.
Specifically, the resolution of the convention has effectively removed some of the hurdles standing in the way of Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 race.
Pointedly put, Peter Obi is poised to pick the NDC’s presidential ticket even as other southern aspirants equally have the opportunity to contest for the ticket if they purchase and process nomination forms.
It was gathered that the NDC leaders deliberately framed the deal as a balance between regional equity and political strategy ahead of 2027.
Political event watchers opined that while the automatic ticket to the south has already settle the struggles half way, there is however the need for effective and pragmatic approach on how to design convincing strategy with which to carry northern voters along.
