Politics
NDC Gives 4-year Presidential Ticket to Southern Nigeria
–Nigeria is not a poor country; it is rooted in poverty by poor leadership –Obi
–“I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South” –Kwankwaso
By Our Reporter
A one-term presidential ticket for 2027 election has been zoned to southern Nigeria by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC and the Vice Presidential Candidate to the North.
This resolution which was taken at the maiden edition of NDC’s National Convention held at the Los Angeles Event Centre, Abuja has set the stage for the former Anambra governor, Mr Peter Obi and southerners to proceed with their presidential ambition under NDC.
The motion for the single term which was moved by the member representing Ogbaru Constituency of Anambra State in the 10th National Assembly, Afam Victor Ogene was adopted by the delegates.
The convention also resolved that after the four-year single term, the Presidential ticket will be automatically zoned to the north.
While moving the motion, Ogene explained that the zoning arrangement reflected the party’s commitment to justice, inclusiveness and national stability. “In recognition of our country’s diversity and the need for balance, the party has resolved that the presidency shall rotate to the South in 2027 for a single term and subsequently return to the North in 2031.”
According to him, the decision was more than a political arrangement but “a moral statement on national cohesion” intended to reduce tensions surrounding the nation’s long-running power rotation debate.
The adoption of the resolution sparked excitement among delegates and supporters at the convention venue, just as the development comes amid ongoing political realignments across the country as opposition parties intensify consultations and coalition talks ahead of 2027.
In his remarks, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, said that the movement was determined to rescue Nigeria from poverty, insecurity and what he described as leadership failure.
“We are not changing political platforms for transactional reasons. We are making a principled decision to find a platform that gives us the opportunity to build a new Nigeria that is possible.”
Obi who warned against what he described as attempts to weaken opposition politics in the country, said that Nigeria must not slide into a one-party state: “Today in Nigeria, beneficiaries of democracy are becoming agents of the destruction of democracy.
“We must insist that Nigeria cannot become a one-party state. Nigeria must remain a democracy and we are determined that in 2027 there will be free, fair and credible elections.”
Condemning the worsening economic and security conditions,
Obi added, “Nigeria is not a poor country; it is a country rooted in poverty by poor leadership and governance.”
On what the party would do, the former Anambra State governor promised that the NDC would pursue policies aimed at transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven economy while restoring national security and public trust in governance.
In his words, “We want a Nigeria where citizens are safe whether in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Benue, Rivers or anywhere else in the country.”
Also speaking at the convention, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who backed the zoning arrangement, described it as a courageous step toward national healing and inclusion, just as he said that Nigeria urgently needed visionary alliances capable of repositioning the country for growth and stability.
In the words of the Kwankwasiyya Movement leader, “I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South in the interest of fairness, equity and national inclusion.This presents a true opportunity for national healing and genuine nation-building.”
Kwankwaso moaned that Nigeria was passing through one of its most difficult periods due to poor governance, insecurity and economic decline adding that, “There has been a sharp decline in the quality of governance. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the country. Millions have been displaced from their homes while investments are fleeing.”
On his part, the National Leader of the NDC and former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Seriake Dickson accused the ruling government of intimidating opposition parties and shrinking democratic space, saying that the party cannot be threatened or intimidated.
“The Nigerian opposition landscape is heavily compromised, intimidated and constricted.”
The NDC National leader revealed that the party had endured years of legal and administrative hurdles before eventually securing registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier this year, “The Independent National Electoral Commission complied and issued us a certificate of registration in February this year.
“Contrary to propaganda, there is no appeal in any court against that decision and INEC has duly registered our party.
“In the national interest and in line with the principles upon which the NDC was established, we have taken a historic resolution on zoning”, he added.
— Vatsa, APC Chieftain Tells Bago
By Michael Lim
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state has been urged to select a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election for fairness and to garner more Christian support.
Jonathan Vatsa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, has advised.
He warned that failure to do so could cost the party significant votes due to the ongoing marginalisation of Christians in the state’s political landscape.
Speaking with journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa expressed concern that the APC’s recent primaries produced almost exclusively Muslim candidates.
He noted that only one Christian secured a ticket for the entire State House of Assembly, while all three senatorial candidates, 11 House of Representatives candidates, and 26 out of 27 House of Assembly candidates are Muslims.
According to Vatsa, Christians have also been sidelined in political appointments, despite Governor Bago’s public outreach to Christian groups.
But he argued that symbolic gestures such as attending church programmes or making donations cannot substitute for genuine inclusion in governance.
“It’s not about attending church programmes, singing choruses or making donations. What matters is fairness and inclusion in appointments and elective positions,” he said.
Vatsa maintained that nominating a Christian deputy would help restore balance and strengthen the APC’s chances in 2027.
He cautioned that if opposition parties present Christian running mates, they could attract sympathy votes from the Christian community.
He further stressed that the credibility of candidates, rather than party platforms, will play a decisive role in the upcoming elections.
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
After a review of party primaries across the federation, Governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resolved to meet with Prof Netanwe Yilwatda, Chairman of the party, and other leaders.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), said the resolution was reached at the forum’s meeting which ended in early hours of Tuesday in Abuja.
The PGF is an umbrella body of all serving APC governors.
Uzodimma, while addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting said that the governors also resolved to work to ensure that Nigerians were better off.
He said that the meeting reviewed the outcome of the party’s primaries across the federation, the recent Ekiti governorship election and various by elections in which the APC came out in ”flying colours”.
“We have resolved to work towards solving the problems and challenges facing our democratic space and ensuring that our people are better off.
“We also resolved to meet with the leadership of the party to plan the coming 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. We are ready and good to go,” he said.
The PGF chairman added that the forum further resolved to continue to work with the APC leadership to support and strengthen it and prepare it for future elections.
The meeting was attended by governors of Ekiti, Zamfara, Taraba, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom and Borno States among others.
The meeting may not be unconnected with what some sources believe is the group’s displeasure with how the primaries were reportedly handled by the party hierarchy scheming out their candidates out for the 2007 polls
By Felix Umande, Makurdi
The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Working Committee, NWC, has dropped former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and several other aspirants in a sweeping overhaul of the party’s Benue National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The changes, approved after the conclusion of the party’s primary election appeal process, have been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the APC’s final submission for the affected constituencies.
According to the revised list approved by the NWC, Suswam was removed as the APC candidate for Benue North East Senatorial District and replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende.
In Benue North West Senatorial District, Hon. Benjamin Terseer Aber was also dropped and replaced by Sen. Titus Tartenger Zam, following the review and approval of recommendations from the Primary Election Appeal Committee.
The shake-up extended to the House of Representatives, with substitutions in five federal constituencies.
In Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Ikper Chris Terfa was replaced by Dickson Tarkighir.
While in Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Engr. David Terhemba Nongo was replaced by Austin Asema Achado.
In Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency, Livinus Tsar Adzor was dropped for Sesoo Ikpagher Gboko.
In Buruku Federal Constituency, Gideon Inyom was replaced by Sekav Iortyom. While Kwande/ Ushongo Federal Constituency witnessed the replacement of Prof. Kohol Iornem by the incumbent Terseer Ugbor.
The NWC said the substitutions were based on petitions heard and recommendations submitted by the Primary Election Appeal Committee after aggrieved aspirants challenged the outcome of the primaries.
A letter transmitting the revised list to INEC was jointly signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The party stated that the adjustments represent its “final position” after reviewing all appeals and were carried out in line with the Electoral Act 2022 as amended and INEC guidelines.
With the NWC’s approval, the newly listed candidates are expected to fly the APC flag in the affected Benue senatorial districts and federal constituencies in the 2027 elections, unless further legal challenges arise.
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