NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid. The Nigeria Democratic Congress has cleared the path for Peter Obi to contest the 2027 presidential elections after it zoned the ticket to the south.
KaNO—
The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Saturday zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to southern Nigeria for a single four-year term.
The move is expected to provide a clear path for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s presidential ambition.
The decision was reached during the party’s National Convention in Abuja, where delegates adopted a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Afam Ogene.
Speaking on the resolution, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the arrangement formed part of the party’s power-sharing formula aimed at balancing regional interests within the opposition coalition.
NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid
He added that after the proposed single four-year term for the South, the presidential ticket would automatically return to the North in 2031.”it will be the turn of the North in 2031,” Cleopas announced.
The National Executive Committee also approved the election of members of the party’s National Working Committee during the convention.
The development will provide a clear way for Obi and other southern aspirants to purchase and process the party’s presidential nomination forms ahead of the 2027 polls.
The zoning decision comes amid political realignments ahead of the elections, with opposition figures seeking to unite to unseat toPresident Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.
NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid
Peter Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso,had formally joined the NDC a week ago, and were present at Saturday’s convention, urging party members to avoid internal crises and focus on rebuilding Nigeria.
Addressing delegates and supporters, Kwankwaso threw his weight behind the zoning arrangement, describing it as consistent with equity and the party’s internal agreement.
“Since we joined this party, the NDC has continued to attract quality members and supporters. What began as a bold movement is steadily becoming a formidable platform for national renewal” he said
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The world is undergoing a profound political shift, yet our nation has been caught unprepared, largely because of poor leadership. Instead of positioning Nigeria to seize emerging opportunities, bad governance has left us bearing the brunt of global changes” he added
NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid
“We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. As a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC so that it allows the region to complete its task in producing national leadership” he stated
In his address, Peter Obi,praised the NDC leadership for insisting on sustaining multi-party democracy in Nigeria, stating that the 2027 elections would be free and credible.
“I thank the leaders of the NDC for insisting that we can’t have a one-party system in Nigeria. Nigeria must have democracy, and we insist that those who think we wouldn’t have a free and fair election in 2027 should have a rethink now,” he said
In 2027, we are going to have a free, fair, and credible election. Today in Nigeria, over 140 million Nigerians are languishing in multidimensional poverty. Over 80 million Nigerian youth are unemployed or underemployed. Since the beginning of this month, we lost over 100 Nigerians” he added
NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid
” Mothers are no longer sure their children who left for school will return. Every Nigerian today is worried about where the next meal will come from. Nigeria is now among the hungriest countries in the world and among the most insecure countries in the world. I can go on and on” he said
” We want Nigerians to love each other. That is why people think we are changing parties. Let me assure you that we are not changing parties for transactions. We are changing because we want to have a platform and the opportunity to build a new Nigeria that is possible. This is a sign we need to rebrand Nigeria,” Obi stated
The former Labour Party presidential candidate also urged supporters to mobilise ahead of the elections and reject leaders involved in alleged wrongdoing.
“Let us go home and start the work. The work starts today. The work is to ensure we chase out people who are making our country miserable, all those who agree that you can forge certificates and that doing the wrong thing is right. They are the people we want to chase out,” Obi stated
NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid
Also speaking, the National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, assured members that the party was free of factional crisis and litigation.
“The NDC is a brand new party with no crisis or pending litigation. You will recall that our collective goal is to build an opposition platform that will rekindle the flame of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy” he said
” The opposition is heavily compromised and intimidated. While it has done what is right, we equally urge INEC to ensure that other opposition parties receive fair treatment” he added
“The NDC has come to stay. It is good to go. The NDC has no faction and pending cases,” he said.
NDC Paves Way For Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid
The convention also caused heavy traffic congestion around Ahmadu Bello Way and adjoining roads in Abuja as thousands of party supporters and delegates thronged the venue.
Supporters of the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient movements were seen chanting solidarity songs and celebrating around the convention ground, while traders occupied road medians and open spaces to sell items to attendees.
Security operatives were deployed to the area to manage the crowd and ease traffic in the Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory.
