Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, has clarified the rationale behind the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) decision to zone its presidential ticket to the Southern region for the 2027 elections.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Umeh stated that the move aims to fulfill the remaining four years of the eight-year presidential term allocated to the South. He emphasized that the NDC acted prudently by embracing zoning, a principle that promotes balance and equity in Nigerian politics.
According to Umeh, the failure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to implement zoning contributed to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) loss in the 2023 election. He criticized the ADC for repeating what he called a costly mistake, despite efforts to foster unity.
Umeh further argued that any serious contender must recognize the South’s entitlement to two terms of four years each. He noted that challenging the Southern bloc in the upcoming election would be futile, given the region’s legitimate claim to complete its eight-year tenure. The NDC, he said, has demonstrated political maturity by making a strategic decision that aligns with fairness and electoral success.