Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi may have received a major political boost ahead of the 2027 elections after the Nigeria Democratic Congress zoned its presidential ticket to the South.
The decision was announced on Saturday during the party’s national convention in Abuja, where delegates and party leaders gathered to discuss key issues ahead of the next general election.
The NDC also confirmed the move in a post shared on its official X handle, declaring that its presidential ticket had officially been reserved for candidates from Southern Nigeria.
The development is already being viewed in political circles as favourable to Obi, who recently joined the party alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Both politicians were present at the convention, which also featured discussions on zoning arrangements, ratification of amendments to the party’s constitution and the election of new national executives.
The party has continued to attract defectors from other opposition platforms in recent weeks, a sign of growing political realignments ahead of 2027.
Earlier this week, 17 members of the House of Representatives dumped the African Democratic Congress for the NDC during plenary.
Among those who defected were Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Peter Aniekwe and several others.
Their move came shortly after Obi and Kwankwaso formally joined the NDC following a closed-door meeting with party leaders in Abuja.
The two politicians received their membership cards from former Bayelsa State Governor and NDC national leader, Seriake Dickson.
Obi had explained that his decision to leave the ADC was influenced by internal crises, outside interference and what he described as growing hostility within the party structure.
With the South now officially favoured for the NDC presidential ticket, attention is expected to shift to possible alliances and negotiations within the opposition as political activities ahead of the 2027 election continue to gather momentum.
