Kwankwaso breaks silence over zoning of NDC presidential ticket to south

Kwankwaso breaks silence over zoning of NDC presidential ticket to south

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, has declared his support for the zoning of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket to the south ahead of the 2027 elections.

At its national convention on Saturday, the party zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the south and 2031 to the north, following a motion moved by Afam Victor and seconded by Seyi Sowumi.

In his speech at the gathering, Kwankwaso said the zoning arrangement represented “a true opportunity for national healing” and pledged to abide by the party’s agreement on fairness and federal character.

“It is therefore with great sense of unity and solidarity, that as a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the south, so that it allows the region to complete its turn in producing national leadership,” he said.

“We shall work in abidance with the party’s agreement to ensure fairness and federal character in all ramifications.”

Kwankwaso said Nigeria was at a “critical crossroads”, and blamed the country’s current challenges on poor leadership and bad governance.

He said insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public services have worsened the living conditions of Nigerians.

“We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. Millions have been displaced from their homes,” he said.

“Investments are fleeing, critical infrastructure is neglected, the education system is collapsing, and harsh economic policies have been imposed on citizens without meaningful safety nets or relief.”

The former Kano governor also traced Nigeria’s political history through past alliances and coalitions, which he said helped preserve national unity at different periods.

He referenced the alliance between Aminu Kano’s Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1954, as well as the coalition between the NCNC and the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) that preceded Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

Kwankwaso added that the alliance between Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the second republic also helped restore civilian rule and national cohesion.

He said the NDC would prioritise leadership devoid of “ethnic jingoism and religious favouritism”.

“The leadership standard we shall set will therefore restore Nigeria’s dignity and will guarantee that our citizens at home and the diaspora will be treated with respect and dignity,” he said.

“Lastly, we can only achieve that by continuing to mobilise to register with INEC to vote, and the NDC to belong to this noble cause. Please register, today.”