The Nigeria Democratic Congress has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, a major political development widely seen as strengthening the prospects of former Peter Obi ahead of the next general election.
The decision was announced on Saturday at the party’s national convention in Abuja, where top party leaders and stakeholders gathered to deliberate on key issues shaping the party’s future.
Confirming the development, the party wrote on its official X handle: “NDC Presidential ticket is zoned to the South!!”
The convention was attended by prominent figures including Obi and former Rabiu Kwankwaso, both of whom recently joined the party amid ongoing political realignments ahead of 2027.
According to the convention agenda obtained by journalists, discussions at the gathering centred on zoning arrangements, ratification of the amended party constitution, and the election of new national executives.
The NDC has in recent weeks witnessed a wave of defections from other opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Daily Crucible reports that on Tuesday this week, no fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives formally defected from the African Democratic Congress ADC (ADC) to the NDC during plenary.
The lawmakers include Yusuf Datti, and Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.
Others are Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, and George Oluwande.
The defections came barely two days after Obi and Kwankwaso formally dumped the ADC for the NDC.
Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, alongside Kwankwaso, who flew the flag of the New Nigeria People’s Party in the same election, received their NDC membership cards on Sunday following a closed-door meeting with party leaders.
They were welcomed into the party by former Seriake Dickson, who currently serves as the party’s national leader.
Obi had attributed his exit from the ADC to worsening internal crises, alleged external interference and growing hostility within the party structure. He had joined the ADC in December 2025 after leaving the Labour Party.
