Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has backed the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, describing the move as consistent with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.
Speaking at the party’s convention on Saturday in Abuja, Kwankwaso said zoning was a principle that had helped stabilize Nigeria’s democracy and foster inclusivity. He noted that the NDC’s decision aligned with its established rotation formula, which seeks to balance leadership between the North and South. “This decision reflects fairness and equity, and it will strengthen our democracy,” he told delegates.
Kwankwaso, a former senator and influential northern politician, has long been associated with coalition-building and advocacy for equitable representation. His endorsement of the zoning arrangement adds weight to the NDC’s decision, especially as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement drew mixed reactions across political platforms. Supporters of the zoning arrangement praised the NDC for adhering to its constitution and for promoting southern representation. Critics, however, argued that zoning limits merit-based competition and could sideline qualified candidates from other regions. On social media, some commentators welcomed the move as a step toward inclusivity, while others dismissed it as political maneuvering ahead of the polls.
Zoning and power rotation have long been features of Nigeria’s political landscape. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has historically rotated its presidential ticket between the North and South, a practice that influenced the 1999 election of Olusegun Obasanjo from the South and the 2007 election of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from the North. Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faced internal debates over zoning, with the 2023 election of Bola Tinubu from the South following Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure from the North.
Political analysts say the NDC’s zoning decision could reshape alliances ahead of the 2027 polls, particularly as other parties weigh their own succession strategies. Kwankwaso’s endorsement underscores the broader challenge of balancing regional interests in Nigeria’s democracy, where zoning remains both a stabilizing mechanism and a source of contention.
