Buba Galadima

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, marking a significant strategic shift for the newly formed opposition coalition.

Buba Galadima, a prominent political associate of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, disclosed the party’s decision during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday. Galadima emphasized that the zoning arrangement is a definitive move to ensure equity within the party.

Key Developments in the NDC

Zoning and Primaries: Galadima confirmed that the party has "zoned the presidential candidature to the south" and clarified that the NDC intends to select its flagbearer through a primary election process rather than a consensus arrangement.

INEC Registration: The coalition is set to formalize its status by submitting its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 5 or 6. "Once we do that, we are good to go," Galadima stated.

High-Profile Defections: The announcement coincides with the formal entry of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into the NDC. Both leaders recently transitioned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a period of internal instability within that party.

The Push for Equity

The shift to the NDC follows a period of friction within the ADC. Peter Obi, a vocal advocate for power rotation and equity, had reportedly grown dissatisfied with the ADC’s reluctance to formally debate zoning.

Since the opposition leaders' summit in Ibadan last month, Obi had distanced himself from ADC activities, arguing that a failure to address geographic power-sharing would weaken the opposition's cohesion and erode trust among stakeholders.

Strategic Outlook for 2027

The NDC's decision to zone the ticket to the South is seen as a direct response to these concerns, potentially positioning the party as a unified front against the ruling APC. With the membership registration imminent, the coalition is moving rapidly to establish its legal and structural framework ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.