NDC Zones Presidential Ticket To South

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reserved its 2027 presidential ticket for a candidate from Southern Nigeria.

The decision was announced at the party’s national convention, currently being held in Abuja.

Members of the party are also expected to ratify amendments to the party constitution and elect new national executives. The gathering is equally aimed at reviewing some earlier decisions taken by the National Executive Committee of the party.

Top opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are attending the convention.

The NDC has recently witnessed several defections from parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding to growing political activities around the party ahead of 2027.

On Tuesday, 17 members of the House of Representatives officially defected from the ADC to the NDC during plenary at the National Assembly.

Among the lawmakers who joined the party are Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike. Others include Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.

The lawmakers’ defection came shortly after Obi and Kwankwaso also formally joined the NDC from the ADC. The two politicians received their membership cards during a meeting with party leaders in Abuja.

A former governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, welcomed the opposition figures into the party in the presence of supporters and other stakeholders.

Obi had earlier explained that internal crises, outside interference, and increasing tension within opposition parties contributed to his decision to leave the ADC, which he joined from the Labour Party in December 2025.