By Rachel Akper

Leaders from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) have publicly indicated support for a Southern Nigerian presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

At a strategy conference in Jos, Plateau State, Middle Belt leaders in the ADC announced that they would not field a presidential candidate, citing the need for national balance, fairness, and inclusion.

The meeting, held under the banner of the COPDEN/ADC Middle-Belt Strategy Conference, was organized by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEN) in collaboration with the ADC. Its theme was “Nigeria at Crossroads: Building the Green Coalition for 2027.”

Prince Pam Rwang, coordinator of the group, read a communiqué highlighting the decision as a strategic effort to strengthen national cohesion.

The statement emphasized that Nigerian elections are generally won through broad coalitions rather than regional dominance.

Delegates stressed that the Middle Belt, as a key electoral bridge between the North and South, would focus on alliance-building rather than fielding its own candidate.

“The ADC presidential ticket should be zoned to Southern Nigeria, reflecting the country’s culture of rotational leadership and inclusion,” the communiqué read. Delegates noted that zoning and power rotation are already widely practiced at state and local levels and should be respected nationally.

Meanwhile, in Abuja, LP National Caretaker Committee Chairman Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman confirmed that the party has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, ruling out northern aspirants on its platform.

Nenadi-Usman said the decision followed consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and represents a firm policy direction for prospective candidates.

“We have decided that no candidate from Northern Nigeria will be accepted for the presidential ticket. The position is reserved for the South,” she stated.

However, Nenadi-Usman emphasized that the party would maintain internal democracy, leaving the selection of the specific candidate to the outcome of party primaries.

The LP chair also celebrated a recent legal victory, noting that a court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State dismissed a challenge to the party’s caretaker committee for lacking merit.

She added that adjustments may be made to the party’s upcoming congress timetable to accommodate a surge of new members, ensuring that no aspirants are disenfranchised.

The ADC and LP’s announcements reflect ongoing discussions among political stakeholders on fair representation, regional balance, and rotational leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.