Middle Belt Leaders and Labour Party Champion Southern Presidency for 2027 Elections
A significant political development is emerging in Nigeria as leaders from the Middle Belt region, within both the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP), have declared their intention to support a Southern presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This strategic alignment signals a broader push for national balance, fairness, and inclusion in the country’s political landscape.
ADC Middle Belt Leaders’ Strategic Resolution
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders from the Middle Belt have made a resolute decision not to field their own presidential candidate for the 2027 polls. This accord was reached during the Middle-Belt Cognac ADC Strategy Conference, also referred to as the COPDEN/ADC Middle-Belt Strategy Conference, held in Jos, Plateau State. The conference, themed “Nigeria at Crossroads: Building the Green Coalition for 2027,” was jointly organized by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEN) and the ADC.
Prince Pam Rwang, the coordinator of the group, articulated the communiqué following extensive deliberations. He described the decision as a crucial strategic manoeuvre designed to bolster national unity and cohesion in anticipation of the 2027 elections. The participants unanimously agreed that winning Nigerian elections hinges on forging broad-based coalitions rather than relying on regional dominance.
Key takeaways from the conference included:
- The Middle Belt as an Electoral Bridge: Delegates recognized the Middle Belt’s pivotal role as a critical electoral link connecting the Northern and Southern regions of Nigeria.
- Emphasis on Fairness and Rotational Leadership: A central theme of the discussions was the imperative of fairness and the practice of rotational leadership. The participants observed that zoning and power rotation are already established norms at state, local government, and ward levels across the nation, and consequently, these principles should be upheld at the national presidential level. The Middle Belt explicitly stated its intention “not to seek to lead from the front.”
- Strategic Political Bloc: The region has resolved to position itself as a conscious, strategic, and decisive political bloc capable of influencing national outcomes through strategic alliances, rather than through narrow sectional contests.
- Zoning the Presidential Ticket to the South: The communiqué formally declared that the presidential ticket of the ADC should be zoned to Southern Nigeria, aligning with Nigeria’s established tradition of maintaining balance and fostering inclusion.
- Promoting Justice and Equity: Stakeholders underscored that Nigerians are more receptive to political arrangements that champion justice, equity, and a pervasive sense of belonging for all regions.
Labour Party Formalizes Southern Presidential Ticket
In a parallel development, the Labour Party (LP) has also confirmed its decision to zone its presidential ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria for the 2027 general elections. Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman, the chairperson of the National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party, announced this policy shift in Abuja. The decision was made following a consultative meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senator Nenadi-Usman clarified that this is a definitive policy shift intended to provide clear direction for potential aspirants ahead of the next electoral cycle. “We have one certain decision that we have taken,” she stated. “That is to say we will certainly not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria. We have zoned the position to Southern Nigeria. So if any northerner comes now to want to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that.”
While confirming the regional preference for the presidential ticket, the national chairperson emphasized the party’s unwavering commitment to internal democracy. She stressed that the party would not pre-select a specific individual but would allow the democratic process to unfold. “As for who, I can’t tell you now because then it won’t be democratic anymore. When the aspirants come, whoever the people like and vote for during the primaries, then whoever it is that wins the primaries, then we put them in the position,” she explained.
Legal Victory and Electoral Preparations for Labour Party
The Labour Party’s announcement regarding the presidential ticket comes on the heels of a significant legal victory for its current leadership. Senator Nenadi-Usman confirmed that a lawsuit filed against the National Caretaker Committee at a High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was dismissed for lacking merit. “To God be the glory, the case was thrown out. The court discovered that they had no locus standi. I believe the judge did very well by standing on truth and the case is now thrown out, so it is over,” she reported.
Regarding the party’s upcoming congresses, which were initially scheduled to commence shortly, the chairperson indicated a potential adjustment to the timetable. This reconsideration is to accommodate what she described as a “surge” of new members seeking to join the party. She expressed concern that adhering to the original date might disenfranchise a considerable number of prospective members. “If we go ahead to stick to that date, to my mind, we are going to disenfranchise quite a number of people. I think we should tinker with that date, sit together as a group and come up with a new date,” Nenadi-Usman proposed.
Furthermore, the LP chairperson addressed a recent security incident involving party property, confirming that a formal petition has been lodged with the police. She conveyed confidence in the authorities’ ability to “bring to book, all those who had a hand in what happened,” thereby serving as a deterrent against future acts of political violence.
