Political leaders from Nigeria’s North Central area have rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) choice to zone the 2027 presidency to the South, saying the area will not tolerate being marginalised.
They additionally dismissed the zoning association of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that any social gathering that fails to subject a candidate from the North Central mustn’t count on assist from the zone.
Speaking at a press convention in Abuja on Tuesday, August 26, Chairperson of the North Central Renaissance Movement, Professor Okay’tso Nghargbu, mentioned the PDP’s transfer amounted to deliberate exclusion of the area, which he famous has by no means produced a civilian president or vp since independence.
He defined that the North Central has remained affected person for many years, counting on “intellectual activism” as an alternative of violence or sabotage, but has been persistently ignored within the nation’s energy sharing.
“Any political party that is not willing to zone the presidency to the North—and particularly to the North Central—may not and will not have the votes of our people,” Nghargbu mentioned.
According to him, different areas have resorted to damaging nationwide belongings or armed wrestle to achieve political recognition, whereas the North Central has taken a peaceable method. “Ours will continually remain intellectual activism,” he acknowledged.
Describing the zone because the nation’s most strategic area, Nghargbu mentioned it represents a “miniature Nigeria” that embodies the nation’s ethnic variety and has the capability to stabilise a divided nation.
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“At a time when Nigeria is bleeding and national trust between northern and southern elites is dwindling, the logical and wise choice is to seek a bridge builder. The North Central is that bridge builder,” he mentioned.
He highlighted the zone’s contributions to nationwide development, citing its position because the meals basket of the nation, its mineral wealth and its human capital able to uniting the nation.
On the PDP’s declare that energy would return to the North after 4 years within the South, Nghargbu argued it was unrealistic.
“The truth is simple: once PDP gets power, it will not stop at four years. Nigerians know this. We have seen it happen before, and it will happen again,” he maintained.
The stakeholders additionally spoke in opposition to “recycled leadership,” stressing that Nigerians, significantly the youth, are craving for recent leaders and new concepts.
“Our agitation is not about North versus South. It is about equity, justice and good governance. The North Central is the only zone yet to be tested, and we insist it is time to be given the chance,” he declared.
Nghargbu additional described the area because the “referee” in Nigeria’s political contest and warned that any social gathering that sidelines it mustn’t count on electoral assist in 2027.
