Supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso under the banner of the Kwankwasiyya Movement have defended the decision of the Nigerian Democratic Congress to zone its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Habeeb Saleh, made the position known on Monday during an interview on Arise Television, where he said the party’s decision was rooted in its commitment to national unity and the principle of “one Nigeria”.
Saleh explained that the zoning arrangement was designed to promote trust, fairness and political stability across the country, stressing that Nigerians must have confidence that political leaders and parties are acting in the collective interest of the nation.
“Zoning the NDC presidency to the South is a product of believing in one Nigeria,” he said during the interview.
“But the reality before us is that decisions are taken that will naturally stabilise the entirety of Nigerians. That decision has to be such that it will bring in trust and mutual understanding within ourselves.”
The remarks come amid growing national debate over the issue of power rotation and zoning ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Political stakeholders across the country have continued to express differing opinions on whether opposition parties should field candidates from the South or North in their bid to challenge President Bola Tinubu, who is widely expected to seek re-election.
While some political groups have argued that zoning the presidency to the South promotes equity and inclusion, others believe the opposition should focus more on electoral strategy and coalition-building rather than regional considerations.
Saleh maintained that the NDC’s decision was intended to reassure Nigerians that the party remained committed to fairness and national cohesion.
According to him, all political actors within the party are expected to place the country’s interests above personal or regional ambitions.
“So justification of actually zoning this presidency to the South, the NDC believes that all Nigerians need to be on the same page,” he added.
“And they need to also have this confidence that the party, all those actors within the party, are such that have the Nigerian interest at heart.”
The Kwankwasiyya Movement, which is closely associated with Kwankwaso and his loyalists, has remained an influential political force, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Its latest remarks are expected to further shape ongoing discussions surrounding zoning, national unity and opposition strategies ahead of the next presidential election cycle.
