The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, declaring that the party’s candidate will serve a single four-year term if elected.
The decision was reached on Saturday during the party’s national convention held in Abuja, where top opposition figures and party stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the future direction of the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the resolution on its official social media platform, the party stated: “NDC presidential ticket is zoned to the South!!” It further disclosed that the 2031 presidential ticket has been reserved for Northern Nigeria as part of efforts to promote balance and inclusiveness within the party.
The convention attracted prominent political figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) flagbearer Rabiu Kwankwaso, both of whom recently defected to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Party sources said the convention was convened to ratify key decisions earlier taken by the National Executive Committee, including zoning arrangements, amendments to the party constitution, and the election of new national executives.
The NDC has recently witnessed a wave of defections from rival political parties, especially the ADC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in what observers describe as a major realignment within the opposition camp.
Earlier in the week, no fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives dumped the ADC for the NDC. Their defections were formally announced during plenary at the National Assembly.
Among the lawmakers who joined the party are Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi, and Abdulhakeem Ado.
The defections followed the formal entry of Obi and Kwankwaso into the NDC last Sunday. The duo received their membership cards amid cheers from supporters shortly after a closed-door meeting with party leaders in Abuja.
They were officially welcomed into the party by former Bayelsa State Governor and NDC national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Obi, who joined the ADC from the Labour Party in December 2025 before later moving to the NDC, blamed worsening political tensions, internal crises, and external interference for his decision to leave the party.
The former Anambra State governor lamented what he described as an increasingly hostile political environment in Nigeria, marked by intimidation, insecurity, and pressure against individuals seeking genuine public service..
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