The Nigeria Democratic Congress has settled on zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to *Southern Nigeria*, a move that reshapes the early calculations for the next general election. Delegates at the party’s national convention backed the decision after it scaled through without significant opposition.
The convention is taking place at the Los Angelese Event Centre in Abuja. It has drawn a mix of party leaders, lawmakers, and prominent opposition figures who have been watching the zoning debate closely.
The resolution came after a motion moved by *Hon. Afam Victor Ogene*, who represents Ogbaru Constituency in Anambra State in the House of Representatives. Ogene argued that the timing favored ceding the ticket to the South to balance political representation and strengthen the party’s national appeal. 
Once the motion was seconded on the floor, it went to a voice vote. The response from delegates was overwhelming, with the hall signaling clear approval for the proposal. No counter-motion was raised to challenge the timing or the regional designation.
Alongside the zoning, the convention also set a time limit on the arrangement. The ticket will remain in the South for *one term of four years*, after which it will automatically revert to *Northern Nigeria*. The clause was included to address concerns about rotational fairness within the party.
The gathering had high-profile attendees, including *Peter Obi*, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and *Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso*, former Kano State governor and NNPP’s 2023 flagbearer. Both men sat through the proceedings alongside other senior opposition figures who have been linked to coalition talks.
Directing the key activities on the ground was *Senator Seriake Dickson*, the National Leader of the NDC. His role has been to keep the convention focused and ensure that procedural steps on the zoning motion moved without delay.
With the ticket now zoned South, speculation around an *Obi/Kwankwaso joint ticket* has gained fresh traction ahead of 2027. The decision effectively removes one of the major structural barriers that had kept those discussions in the realm of informal talks.
