2027 Presidency: North Central Group Demands Zoning from Opposition Parties
The race for Nigeria’s top political office gained new momentum on Saturday as the North Central Renaissance Movement (NCRM) made a bold call for opposition parties to zone their 2027 presidential tickets to the North Central region.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the group’s Chairman, Professor K’tso Nghargbu, outlined the reasons behind the demand, emphasizing the historical marginalization of the region despite its significant role in national unity and development.
Nghargbu decried the fact that since independence, the North Central remains the only geopolitical zone yet to produce a civilian president or vice president, calling this a glaring injustice.
“It is time for the North Central to stop serving as political escorts,” he declared. “We are done playing supporting roles. Our aspiration is clear—we seek full participation at the highest level of governance.”
He made it clear that holding party chairmanships or other secondary positions would no longer placate the region’s quest for executive leadership.
The NCRM called on major opposition parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP)—to consider the North Central in their zoning arrangements for the next election cycle. Nghargbu noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with President Bola Tinubu eligible for re-election, is unlikely to shift its presidential ticket from the South.
Highlighting the region’s diverse makeup—with the Hausa/Fulani across all states, Yoruba communities in Kogi and Kwara, and Igbo populations in Benue and Kogi—Nghargbu argued that the North Central mirrors Nigeria’s ethnic plurality better than any other zone.
“A president from the North Central would not only represent balance but also have the empathy, experience, and temperament to manage Nigeria’s complex diversity,” he said. “Our region embodies the inclusive spirit that this nation needs.”
The NCRM described the call for zoning as a test of the nation’s commitment to fairness and inclusion. Nghargbu warned that continued neglect could exacerbate feelings of alienation within the zone.
“This is not just a political appeal; it is a rightful demand,” he insisted. “The North Central has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s unity and stability. Now, it is time for the region to lead.”
He urged Northern leaders to support the push as a show of equity within the broader North, while also encouraging cross-regional collaboration with the South ahead of the 2027 elections.
Concluding his remarks, Nghargbu said the 2027 polls could serve as a defining moment—not only for the North Central—but for restoring political equilibrium and deepening Nigeria’s democracy.
