The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the party’s national convention currently taking place in Abuja, where members are also considering amendments to the party’s constitution and electing new national executives.
The convention is further expected to review several earlier resolutions adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Prominent opposition leaders, including and , are among dignitaries attending the gathering.
In recent weeks, the NDC has witnessed a wave of defections from other opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signaling growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier this week, 17 members of the House of Representatives formally defected from the ADC to the NDC during plenary at the National Assembly.
The lawmakers include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike. Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.
Their defection followed the recent move by Obi and Kwankwaso, who also officially joined the NDC from the ADC. Both politicians were presented with their membership cards during a meeting with party leaders in Abuja.
Former welcomed the opposition figures into the party in the presence of supporters and stakeholders.
Obi had earlier cited internal crises, external interference and rising tensions within opposition parties as reasons for leaving the ADC, which he joined after departing the Labour Party in December 2025.
