According to a report by PUNCH on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, a major political development widely viewed as strengthening the prospects of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.

 

The decision was announced on Saturday during the party’s national convention held in Abuja, where delegates and senior stakeholders gathered to deliberate on key structural and electoral matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sponsored
ODCHC

 

The party confirmed the zoning arrangement in a statement posted on its official X handle, declaring: “NDC Presidential ticket is zoned to the South!!”

 

The convention, which drew top political figures including Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also featured discussions on constitutional amendments, internal restructuring, and the election of new national officers.

 

According to the official agenda circulated to journalists, delegates were expected to consider zoning arrangements as a central issue, alongside ratification of revised party rules and leadership elections at various levels.

 

In recent months, the NDC has experienced a significant wave of political realignments, with several lawmakers and party figures defecting from other political platforms, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to join its ranks.

 

On Tuesday, the party recorded a major influx when 17 members of the House of Representatives formally defected from the ADC to the NDC during plenary. The lawmakers include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, and Munachim Umezuruike, among others.

 

Additional defectors listed include Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi, and Abdulhakeem Ado.

 

These defections came shortly after Obi and Kwankwaso were formally received into the NDC following their exit from the African Democratic Congress. Both politicians reportedly obtained their membership cards after a closed-door meeting with party leadership on Sunday.

 

The duo was formally welcomed into the party by former Bayelsa State governor and NDC national leader, Seriake Dickson.

 

Obi’s move into the NDC followed a period of political uncertainty in his former party, where he cited internal disputes, rising factional tensions, and what he described as increasing hostility within party structures as reasons for his departure. He had earlier joined the ADC in December 2025 after leaving the Labour Party.